Lebanon Israel talks begin in Washington as Rubio joins first direct meeting in decades

Lebanon and Israel were set to begin their first direct diplomatic meeting since 1993. The talks were scheduled for Tuesday in Washington. The meeting followed more than a month of war with Hezbollah. Lebanon’s government said it wanted talks to help end the fighting.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was due to take part in Washington. Israel’s side included Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter. Lebanon’s side included Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad. Hezbollah opposed the direct format and was not expected to attend.

Lebanon Israel talks and Hezbollah rejection

Hezbollah figures said the group would not accept outcomes from the meeting. Wafiq Safa, a senior member of the group’s political council, told The Associated Press that it would not abide by any agreements made in the talks. Hezbollah and supporters said talks were a concession without a truce.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Kassem delivered a fiery speech urging Lebanon to cancel the talks. Hezbollah preferred the 2024 agreement framework. Under that approach, talks were indirect. The US, France, and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon acted as mediators.

Lebanon Israel talks and war impact in Lebanon

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli strikes killed at least 2,089 people in Lebanon. The dead included 252 women, 166 children and 88 medical workers. Another 6,762 people were wounded, the ministry said. More than 1 million people were displaced during the conflict.

Lebanon’s top political authorities had criticised Hezbollah’s choice to enter the war. They were also critical of rockets fired towards Israel on March 2. The authorities proposed direct talks soon after, seeking to stop escalation. They hoped Israel would avoid a ground invasion in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon Israel talks and positions of leaders

Israeli officials said the military continued an invasion into southern Lebanon. Some officials said Israel aimed to create a security zone. It would run from the border to the Litani River. The Litani River is about 30 kilometres, or 20 miles, north.

Israel’s defence minister said displaced residents of southern Lebanon would not return soon. The minister said returns would only happen after the area is demilitarised. Israel also wanted confidence that northern communities were safe. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continued firing drones, rockets and artillery daily.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke on Monday about the conflict’s direction. "Israel's destruction of Lebanese territories is not the solution, nor will it yield any results,\" Aoun said. Aoun came to power after pledging to disarm non-state groups. That included Hezbollah.

Israel ruled out a ceasefire, even as Beirut sought one before talks. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar spoke on Tuesday and rejected claims of disputes with Lebanon. \"The problem is Hezbollah.\" Saar also said, \"Hezbollah also has its financial roots; there are a lot of dimensions holding this organisation, practically keeping Lebanon under Iranian occupation,\"

Lebanon Israel talks and Iran influence on Hezbollah

A US State Department official said the two governments would discuss long-term security on Israel’s northern border. The official also said the talks would support Lebanon seeking control of territory and political future from Iran-backed Hezbollah. The official spoke anonymously due to limits on public comment.

Iran had set ending wars in Lebanon and the region as a condition for talks with the US. Lebanon said it would represent itself in Washington. Critics tied to Iran-backed Hezbollah argued Beirut lacked leverage. Hezbollah still held influence in southern Beirut suburbs and large parts of southern and eastern provinces.

Hezbollah-allied politicians held two Cabinet minister positions. However, ties had worsened with Lebanon’s top authorities. Those authorities criticised Hezbollah’s war decision last month. They then criminalised the group’s military activities in the country. Israel only responded positively to talks last week after 100 strikes, including in central Beirut.

With inputs from PTI