Israeli and Lebanese officials held their first direct negotiations since 1983 on Tuesday in Washington, DC, even as Israel continued its military campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
#BREAKING Israel, Lebanon agree to launch direct negotiations at mutually agreed time, venue, according to joint statement following talks in Washington pic.twitter.com/1KDJpcvMgt
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 14, 2026
The talks, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, lasted more than two hours. Both sides entered with sharply different priorities: Israel pressed for the disarmament of Hezbollah and ruled out discussing a ceasefire, while Lebanon demanded an immediate end to hostilities, the return of displaced people, and measures to address the humanitarian crisis.
Lebanon’s ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, described the discussions as “constructive” but stressed the need for a ceasefire and safe return for over 1.1 million displaced Lebanese. Israel’s ambassador, Yechiel Leiter, called the exchange “wonderful” and highlighted what he saw as agreement on removing Hezbollah’s influence from Lebanon.
Rubio acknowledged the deep complexities, saying progress would take time given “decades of history.”
The meeting occurred against the backdrop of a fragile US-Iran ceasefire that many hoped would include Lebanon. Iran and mediator Pakistan insist Lebanon was part of the truce, while the US and Israel maintain it was not. Hezbollah, which was not represented at the talks, responded by intensifying attacks on northern Israel and Israeli positions in southern Lebanon, claiming 24 strikes on Tuesday alone.
Heavy Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon throughout the day, with Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitto reporting ongoing bombardment near Tyre. The violence has killed nearly 2,124 people in Lebanon and displaced over 1.1 million since the latest escalation began in early March.
Israel has maintained a military presence in southern Lebanon despite a previous ceasefire agreement, with some officials speaking of creating a “security zone” up to the Litani River. Critics accuse Israel of using the conflict to entrench its position and redraw borders.
The talks mark a rare diplomatic opening between Israel and Lebanon after decades of hostility, but with heavy fighting continuing and deep divisions remaining, optimism for a quick breakthrough remains limited.
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