Lebanon says ceasefire must be in place before Israel talks

Lebanon Demands Ceasefire Before Engaging in Peace Talks with Israel

A key figure from Lebanon’s presidential administration confirmed to the BBC that the nation will only enter direct discussions with Israel next week if a ceasefire is already active. This decision follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval of direct negotiations, which he attributed to “consistent appeals from the Lebanese government.” The U.S. State Department has announced plans to facilitate a meeting in Washington, focusing on the progress of ceasefire talks between the two countries.

Ongoing Conflict and Casualties

Israeli air strikes have persisted in Lebanon, with recent attacks claiming 21 lives, according to local authorities. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has launched additional rocket strikes at multiple locations within Israel. The Lebanese health ministry reported 357 fatalities and over 1,223 injuries since the latest escalation, following a 10-minute aerial assault by Israeli jets on Wednesday. In Abbassieh, seven family members were killed, while 11 others perished in Zrarieh. A medical facility in Burj Qalaway suffered damage, resulting in two deaths, and a drone strike targeted an ambulance in Toul without causing injuries.

“You cannot manage what happened, the number of bombs,” said Mohammad Hamoud, whose family operates a pharmacy in Beirut’s Ain el Mreisseh district. “In a very, very short period, complete damage everywhere. It was astonishing.”

Dispute Over Ceasefire Agreement

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it destroyed approximately 10 rocket launchers during Thursday night’s strikes, which it said had targeted northern Israel. The group also launched rockets at Kiryat Shmona and Misgav Am in the Upper Galilee region, triggering nationwide alarms. The IDF emphasized that these actions were a response to Israel’s alleged breach of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement. However, the inclusion of Lebanon in this agreement remains contentious. While Pakistan and Iran assert Lebanon was part of the truce, the U.S. and Israel argue otherwise.

“Israeli strikes on Lebanon constitute a ‘grave violation’ of the ceasefire,” stated Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh. Conversely, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance noted, “I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t.”

Humanitarian Concerns and Future Goals

Direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are rare, as the nations typically rely on intermediaries. Talks have been in progress since November 2024, with U.S. envoys previously leading indirect discussions. In Beirut, rescue teams continue to retrieve victims from the most severe Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, UN aid agencies warn of a worsening humanitarian situation, with over a million displaced people and escalating food costs. The World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted that disrupted incomes and rising prices are creating a food security crisis, though it faces challenges in delivering supplies to southern Lebanon due to logistical difficulties.