Lebanon has made it clear that it will only move forward with direct negotiations with Israel if a ceasefire is established first, signaling the fragile state of diplomacy amid ongoing violence.
According to a senior official from the Lebanese presidency, Beirut is open to talks expected next week, but only under the condition that hostilities come to a halt beforehand. The stance highlights Lebanon’s concern over continuing military strikes and the need for stability before engaging in dialogue.
The development follows a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he had approved direct negotiations after repeated outreach from the Lebanese government. Meanwhile, a representative from the U.S. State Department confirmed that a meeting is being planned in Washington to address ongoing ceasefire discussions between the two sides.
Despite these diplomatic signals, violence has not subsided. Recent Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon reportedly killed more than 20 people, including members of the same family and civilians in multiple towns. Civilian infrastructure, including a medical facility, was also affected.
At the same time, Hezbollah has continued launching rockets into Israeli territory, triggering air raid sirens in several areas. Some of the attacks reached deeper into Israel than previous strikes, though many were intercepted and no major casualties were reported.
The Israeli military stated that it has targeted rocket launch sites used in attacks against northern Israel and is continuing operations to neutralize further threats.
With both sides still engaged in active hostilities, the path to meaningful negotiations remains uncertain. Lebanon’s insistence on a ceasefire as a precondition reflects the broader challenge: without a pause in fighting, diplomatic efforts may struggle to gain traction in an increasingly volatile situation.