Foreign Affairs

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(135,986 posts) Thu Apr 9, 2026, 01:49 PM 4 hrs ago

Netanyahu authorizes direct talks with Lebanon in potential boost to ceasefire efforts

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In a potential boost to Middle East ceasefire efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that he authorized direct negotiations “as soon as possible” with Lebanon aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the neighbors.

The two countries have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948.

There was no immediate response from Lebanese authorities. But Israel-Lebanon negotiations were expected to begin next week at the State Department in Washington, according to a person familiar with the plans.

The prospect of talks appeared to bolster the tentative ceasefire in the Iran war that had staggered under the weight of Israel’s bombardment of Beirut, Tehran’s continued chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and uncertainty over whether planned peace talks can find common ground.

https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-april-9-2026-7760f88f183ed2a13a721057e31f3ce7

2 replies

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Netanyahu authorizes direct talks with Lebanon in potential boost to ceasefire efforts (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 4 hrs ago OP

I'm thinking Israelis have had it with war and agingdem 4 hrs ago #1

Cagey OC375 3 hrs ago #2

agingdem

(8,882 posts)

1. I'm thinking Israelis have had it with war and

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2026, 01:55 PM

4 hrs ago

Bibi knows it...he's looking for an out...

OC375

(1,020 posts)

2. Cagey

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2026, 02:45 PM

3 hrs ago

They've basically said, Iran has no sway over the fate of Lebanese and Israeli relations. Lebanon does. Ceasefire is paired off.

To paraphrase "Your LA privileges have been revoked."

Israel has basically put it on the government of Lebanon, not Iran, to end or manage Hezbollah or be counted with them. It's direct accountability between the two nations without an Iranian agenda folded in.

This marginalizes Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and presumably puts them in opposition to the Lebanese people with war objectives.

It simplifies the ceasefire as well, for everyone, because Lebanon isn't an issue to the greater war, and put's focus back on the greater conflict.

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