Washington: Lebanon and Israel have agreed to initiate direct negotiations following talks in Washington aimed at securing a ceasefire and de-escalating military hostilities that have persisted since 2 March 2026. Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Lebanese Ambassador to the United States, described the preliminary meeting as "good and constructive."
According to Oman News Agency, the US State Department said the trilateral meeting included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Counselor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Israel's ambassador to Washington, and Ambassador Moawad. The department noted that the gathering marked the first broad, high-level communication between the two sides since 1993, with participants engaging constructively on the continuation of direct negotiations.
Washington expressed hope that the talks would go beyond the 2024 agreement framework and lead to a comprehensive peace deal, stressing that any agreement to end hostilities must be reached directly between the two parties, not through any separate track.
The US State Department added that the negotiations could open the door to substantial reconstruction aid and economic recovery for Lebanon, as well as expanded investment opportunities for both countries. All parties have agreed to launch direct negotiations at a time and place to be mutually determined.
Lebanon reiterated the urgent need for full implementation of the November 2024 cessation of hostilities declaration, emphasizing territorial integrity and full state sovereignty, while calling for a ceasefire and concrete action to address the acute humanitarian crisis stemming from the ongoing conflict.
The talks coincided with continued Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an Israeli air raid on the town of Al-Ansariya killed five people. The agency said the Israeli air force also targeted the entrance of Al-Qlailah and the outskirts of Bint Jbeil, and detonated houses in the town of Hanine.
Separately, the Israeli military said it detected approximately 30 rockets fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel this morning.