Israel Has Agreed To Direct Talks With Lebanon For The First Time Since 1993

• 14.04.2026, 8:59

Rubio is preparing a historic meeting that could change the course of the war in the Middle East.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is preparing a historic diplomatic meeting that could change the course of the war in the Middle East. Direct talks between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon will take place today in Washington.

According to Axios.

Axios emphasizes that there have been no such direct talks between these neighbors since 1993. But Israel's constant annihilation of Hezbollah fighters on Lebanese territory has forced a negotiation process. Its early start could be influenced by US President Donald Trump.

According to the publication's sources, three key issues will be on the agenda:

an immediate ceasefire and a halt to the ground invasion;

long-term disarmament of the Hezbollah terrorist group;

signing a full-fledged peace agreement between the countries.

In addition to Marco Rubio, the talks will be attended by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, State Department counselor Michael Needham, as well as the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors Ehiel Leiter and Nada Hamadeh.

"As a direct consequence of Hezbollah's reckless actions, the Israeli and Lebanese governments are engaged in open, direct high-level diplomatic negotiations mediated by the United States. Israel is at war with Hezbollah, not Lebanon, so there is no reason why the two neighbors should not negotiate," the U.S. State Department said.

Netanyahu's position and the "Trump factor"

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has long rejected any possibility of direct dialog with the Lebanese government.

Donald Trump is demanding immediate de-escalation and wants quick results. It was after talking to the US president that Netanyahu agreed to take the first step in the peace process, Axios notes.