Israel to hold talks with Lebanon excluding Hezbollah

International Desk | PNN

Israel has stated that Hezbollah will not be included in upcoming talks with Lebanon regarding ceasefire or related issues. This position was made clear ahead of a meeting scheduled in Washington next week between Lebanese officials and US authorities.

Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held talks late Friday night to finalize preparations for the upcoming Tuesday meeting at the US State Department. The meeting is seen as the beginning of formal discussions between the two countries, although they do not have diplomatic relations.

Israeli Ambassador Yehiel Leiter said this is a preliminary step toward direct peace talks with Lebanon. However, he made it clear that Hezbollah will not be part of any negotiations.

He described Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization” and said its activities remain the main obstacle to peace between the two countries. Therefore, any ceasefire discussion involving Hezbollah is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes reportedly intensified in Lebanon ahead of the talks. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, an airstrike on a residential building in Maifadoun area of Nabatieh district killed at least three people on Saturday.

Media reports say both the United States and Lebanon have urged Israel to temporarily halt attacks before the talks. However, the White House has not issued any official comment.

Former US President Donald Trump claimed he has asked Israel to reduce attacks to avoid disrupting diplomatic efforts.

Iran, on the other hand, says that under the ceasefire framework, conflict in Lebanon should stop, but Israel does not accept that interpretation. As a result, regional tensions have increased further.

Analysts believe that excluding Hezbollah from talks will increase pressure on Lebanon’s state structure and may further complicate the situation instead of easing it.

Recent weeks have already seen significant casualties in Lebanon, further destabilizing the regional security situation.