Lebanese rescuers clear the rubble at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building the day before in the Lebanese Beirut. AFP
The announcement came one day after Israel launched its largest wave of strikes on Lebanon since the start of the war on March 2, killing at least 254 people and wounding 1,165 others.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” his office said in a statement. “Negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace relations between Israel and Lebanon. Israel appreciates today’s call by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarise Beirut.”
Israeli media reported that Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, would represent the country in the talks.
Lebanon’s cabinet on Thursday instructed security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut exclusively to state institutions, in a warning to Hezbollah. “The army and security forces are requested to immediately begin reinforcing the full imposition of state authority over Beirut Governorate and to monopolise weapons in the hands of legitimate authorities alone,” Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said.
The Lebanese government banned Hezbollah’s military activities at the beginning of March, shortly after the start of the war, but the group has continued operations against Israeli forces. Beirut had also committed in 2025 to disarm the group, the only organisation to retain weapons after Lebanon’s 1975–1990 civil war.
Hezbollah and its supporters have rejected disarmament and direct negotiations with Israel “under fire”, arguing such talks would amount to surrender while Israeli strikes and occupation continue. Party members and allied voices say it is unacceptable to discuss peace or demilitarisation while Israeli warplanes are striking Lebanese territory and civilians.
The group also said it observed the US-Iran ceasefire in its own operations after it was announced, even as Israeli strikes continued.
This is not the first time Israel has violated a ceasefire in Lebanon. Past agreements — including the US- and France-brokered November 2024 truce — were repeatedly breached by Israeli forces, which struck Lebanese territory and occupied positions despite commitments to end hostilities. Reports documented thousands of Israeli airspace violations, around 500 Lebanese killed, and a lack of effective enforcement mechanisms under that ceasefire.
Hezbollah has warned that negotiating with Israel while “occupation” and attacks continue undermines any deal’s chances of delivering real peace and security. The group insists that Israeli violations must stop and Lebanese sovereignty be recognised before meaningful dialogue can occur.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
Short link: