Israel Pushes for Diplomatic Ties with Lebanon Amid New Negotiations
Israel is seeking to establish full diplomatic relations with Lebanon, with formal talks expected to commence as early as next month, according to a senior Israeli official. This follows a high-level meeting in southern Lebanon involving Israel, Lebanon, France, and the United States.
Following a military-to-military discussion at the United Nations peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura, both nations agreed to begin negotiations on defining their border, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed.
A Historic Shift in Relations
Despite the absence of official diplomatic recognition, Israel and Lebanon previously signed a short-lived peace agreement in 1983. Historically, Israel also maintained strong military and economic ties with Christian factions in Lebanon. This new effort signals Israel’s broader ambition to expand its regional normalization efforts, following its 2020 agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, alongside longstanding treaties with Egypt and Jordan.
During the Naqoura meeting, representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and the United States, under the auspices of France, agreed to form working groups. These groups will address key issues, including border demarcation, the presence of Israeli Defense Forces in southern Lebanon, and Lebanese detainees held by Israel.
An Israeli official emphasized the significance of the upcoming talks: “The next stage involves direct negotiations between the political leaders of Israel and Lebanon, marking a milestone in Israeli diplomacy within Lebanese territory.”
Lebanon Pushes Back on Normalization Claims
However, a Lebanese source, speaking to the pro-Iranian Al-Mayadeen channel, refuted claims that these negotiations would lead to full normalization. The source insisted that the working groups remain within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which aims to ensure that only Lebanese state forces operate in the country’s southern regions. “Assertions that these discussions will lead to normalization are entirely false,” the source stated.
As a gesture of goodwill, Israel recently released five Lebanese prisoners. The move is intended to help Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun demonstrate his ability to secure national interests through diplomacy rather than conflict. Aoun, elected in January after a prolonged leadership vacuum, has committed to strengthening Lebanon’s ties with Arab nations and advancing domestic reforms.
Impact on Regional Dynamics
The election of Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam was widely perceived as a setback for Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that has clashed with Israel for decades. Lebanon’s presidency confirmed that four of the released detainees had returned, with a fifth expected to follow soon. Reports indicate that at least one of the released individuals has ties to Hezbollah.
As diplomatic efforts progress, Lebanon and Israel still need to finalize their land border agreement, despite reaching a US-brokered maritime boundary deal in 2022. A truce established in November 2024 significantly reduced hostilities following Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel in October 2023, which had displaced tens of thousands of Israeli civilians.
US Deputy Presidential Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus reiterated international commitment to maintaining the ceasefire and resolving key disputes. “We remain dedicated to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement and advancing these diplomatic discussions,” Ortagus stated.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump’s adviser on Middle East affairs, Massad Boulos, recently underscored Washington’s vision for peace in the region. “People in Israel, Lebanon, and beyond yearn for peace, and we are working toward that goal,” he said during a meeting in Washington, DC. “With God’s grace, peace will come soon.”
Despite Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon last month, it has retained control of five strategic points. Israeli officials argue that maintaining these positions is crucial to preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing a military presence and posing further security threats.
As negotiations advance, the region watches closely to see whether these discussions can pave the way for a lasting peace between Israel and Lebanon.
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