Lebanon and Israel held their first direct civilian-to-civilian talks in decades on Wednesday, raising cautious hopes for progress under a fragile year-old ceasefire with Hezbollah.
The meeting took place at the UN peacekeeping headquarters in Naqura, near the Israeli border, as part of a mechanism created to monitor the November 2024 truce.
🇱🇧 🇮🇱 Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades, part of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with militant group Hezbollah, a source close to the talks told AFP.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) December 3, 2025
➡️ https://t.co/oj8fs5lz5t pic.twitter.com/1fEc7WB6Ok
A U.S. delegation led by special envoy Morgan Ortagus participated, reflecting Washington’s push to curb Hezbollah’s influence and encourage regional stability.
Lebanon and Israel are now at the negotiating table — an unprecedented step.
— Sawsan Mhanna| سوسن مهنّا (@SawsanaMehanna) December 3, 2025
A new phase is emerging, grounded in a diplomatic approach to relations between the two countries.
📍Peace is inevitably on the horizon.#Lebanon #LebanonWantsPeace #Israel pic.twitter.com/b0OKXRWagc
Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, traditionally sent only military officers to such sessions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun authorized civilian envoys for the first time, signaling potential openness to economic dialogue.
Lebanese and Israeli civilian delegates are 'sitting at the same table' at US-led talks aimed at reducing the risk of renewed conflict
— The National (@TheNationalNews) December 3, 2025
https://t.co/l7BPkfe0Zl
The ceasefire remains shaky. Israel has intensified strikes on Hezbollah targets, citing insufficient Lebanese action to dismantle the group’s military infrastructure. Israeli officials warn escalation may be “inevitable” despite U.S. mediation efforts.
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TIPP Staff
