Lebanon and Israel talks raise hope of more robust, expanded truce

As they dispatched civilian envoys to a body that monitors their rocky 2024 truce, Israel and Lebanon will have their first direct diplomatic discussions in a decade.

Lebanon, which does not recognize Israel, made the announcement on Wednesday that a civilian would lead the delegation there for the first time. Additionally, Israel stated that it is assembling a delegation and sending a diplomat.

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A military committee that oversees the 2024 truce between the nations will meet there, but no further details have been provided as to the time and location of the meeting. However, it is anticipated that the move will prompt further expansion of the talks between the long-standing adversaries.

President Joseph Aoun’s office stated in a statement that the Lebanese decision was a response to a long-standing request from the United States and that it was made after Lebanon was “informed that Israel agreed to include a non-military member in its delegation.”

Lebanon will send former US ambassador Simon Karam to the discussions.

Israel’s acting acting director of the National Security Council, Gil Reich, has for its part appointed a representative for the meeting, which is located close to the United Nations-delineated Blue Line, which marks the two countries’ unofficial border.

Uri Resnick of the National Security Council was chosen by Israel’s Arutz Sheva media.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “This is an initial attempt to lay the groundwork for a relationship and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon.”

Very divisive

According to Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr from Beirut, the meeting is a “significant” step for Lebanon, which has been pressed by the US to “engage in direct talks with Israel.”

She said, “This is a very contentious and sensitive issue in Lebanon, where many people view Israel as the enemy.” The Lebanese government views sending a civilian to the meeting as a concession.

Aoun has stated in recent months that he is willing to engage in negotiations to reach a more effective truce than the one reached in November 2024.

Despite the truce, Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon, killing more than 300 people, including at least 127 civilians, in accordance with the UN.

Israel claims that in order to prevent Hezbollah from regaining its military might, it is pursuing Hezbollah members and infrastructure.

Israel’s strikes come as Washington presses Lebanon’s government to fulfill its year-end commitment to disarm Hezbollah&nbsp.