Israel–Lebanon Washington Talks (2026)

Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, held in Washington, took place on 14 April 2026 in the capital of the United States, Washington D.C., under the hosting of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks were conducted with the participation of the ambassadors of both countries to Washington and have been recorded as the highest-level direct contact between Israel and Lebanon since 1993.

^{Parties attending the Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington, 14 April 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

A ceasefire agreement was implemented between Israel and Hezbollah on November 2024. Under this agreement, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah was to end its military presence in the region.

However, following the implementation of the ceasefire, Israel continued its attacks against Lebanon, regularly carrying out aerial strikes especially in southern areas. Despite the ceasefire terms, Israel’s military did not fully withdraw from the border line and continued its military activities on the ground.

On 28 February 2026, a regional war process began with aerial attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, U.S. bases and regional allies.

On 2 March 2026, Hezbollah carried out a retaliatory attack against Israel in response to the attacks initiated by the United States and Israel on 28 February 2026, which it claimed resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Religious Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following this attack, the Israeli military launched a comprehensive military assault on Lebanon . Israeli officials cited the detection of rocket launches directed at the country’s north as justification for the operation. During the operation, Israel conducted intense aerial and naval strikes, targeted the capital Beirut, and decided to expand its ground occupation into southern regions.

On 8 April 2026, a two-week temporary ceasefire was declared between the United States and Iran under the mediation of Pakistan. The ceasefire was regarded as a temporary measure aimed at halting the ongoing war, with the expectation that negotiations for a lasting agreement would begin between the parties.

Disagreements emerged over the scope of the ceasefire. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the ceasefire covered all conflict zones in the region, including Lebanon. In contrast, the U.S. and Israeli administrations asserted that Israel’s attacks on Lebanon were not included in the ceasefire and maintained that the Lebanese front would be treated as a separate process.

Iran emphasized that the continuation of the ceasefire depended on Israel halting its attacks on Lebanon. In this context, the fighting in Lebanon became directly linked to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire process, and the Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington were clearly shaped within this broader regional diplomatic framework.

According to data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health dated 14 April 2026, the number of people killed in Israeli attacks since 2 March has reached 2,124, while the number of injured has reached 6,921. It was reported that 168 of the deceased were children and 254 were women. The health sector also suffered heavy losses during the same period. 88 healthcare workers were killed, 206 were injured, six hospitals were rendered inoperable, and 102 ambulances became unusable. According to official Lebanese government figures, the number of displaced persons in the country has exceeded 1,162,000.

The U.S. Department of State announced the upcoming talks between Israel and Lebanon on Monday evening, 13 April 2026, stating that the meeting would take place on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, at the Department’s headquarters.

Prior to the talks, Israeli media reported that Israel would not accept a ceasefire and that its Ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, would attend the meeting under instructions not to endorse any ceasefire.

Meanwhile, prior to the talks, hundreds of people in Beirut staged protests accusing Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of betraying the public by sitting at the negotiation table while Israel continued its bombing campaign.

Hezbollah General Secretary Naim Qassem, in a statement on 13 April 2026, urged the Lebanese government not to participate in the talks and described this stance as “a historic and heroic position”.

Senior diplomatic representatives from the United States, Israel and Lebanon attended the talks in Washington.

Representing the United States were U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz, State Department Advisor Michael Needham and U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa.

Israel was represented by Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, while Lebanon was represented by Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh-Moawad.

At the start of the meeting held at the State Department building, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a brief statement, emphasizing that the issues between the two countries could not be resolved immediately: “This is a historic opportunity. We have decades of historical lessons that brought us to this point and to this opportunity. I know you are asking about the ceasefire. The destruction caused by this situation that has persisted in this region for 20 to 30 years.”

Rubio described the talks as a process and said, “This is not just about one day. This process will take time, but we believe it is worth the effort.”

The Lebanese delegation viewed the talks in Washington as a preparatory step toward re-establishing the ceasefire. After the meeting, Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh-Moawad stated that the talks had been “productive” and reiterated the need for “the immediate full implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.”

Hamadeh-Moawad also noted that during the meeting Lebanon emphasized the importance of its territorial integrity and state sovereignty, and called for “practical steps” to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon caused by ongoing hostilities. Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salame stressed that from Lebanon’s perspective, the talks were merely a “preparatory meeting” aimed at halting military activities.

Before the talks, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated, “I hope that tonight’s meeting in Washington marks the beginning of the end of the suffering endured by the Lebanese people, especially in the south.” Aoun also emphasized that stability in the region could not be achieved as long as Israel maintained its military presence in southern Lebanon.

According to reports from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu viewed the initiation of the talks as “a tactic to gain time without ending the war and to demonstrate goodwill to the Americans and U.S. President Donald Trump”. The same reports suggested that Ambassador Leiter had attended the meeting under instructions not to endorse any ceasefire.

The U.S. Department of State’s post-meeting statement summarized Israel’s position as follows: “The State of Israel expressed its support for the disarmament of all non-state terrorist groups in Lebanon and the dismantling of all terrorist infrastructure, and affirmed its determination to cooperate with the Lebanese government to ensure the security of both peoples.”

According to Al Jazeera, Israel also proposed a controversial plan to divide southern Lebanon into three security zones. Under this plan, “a sustained and prolonged Israeli military presence would continue in the zone from the border to 0–8 km until Hezbollah is fully dismantled; in the second zone, extending to the Litani River, Israeli forces would continue operations while gradually transferring control to the Lebanese Armed Forces; in the third zone north of the Litani River, only the Lebanese Armed Forces would be responsible for Hezbollah’s disarmament.”

The United States assumed a mediating role in the talks. The State Department statement noted that “the U.S. hopes the talks can go beyond the scope of the 2024 agreement and lead to a comprehensive peace accord. The U.S. also reaffirmed its support for Israel’s right to self-defense against Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks.” The statement further emphasized that future talks should also be conducted under U.S. mediation and that issues related to potential assistance for Lebanon’s reconstruction would be addressed.

Following the talks in Washington, the U.S. Department of State announced that the parties had agreed to begin direct negotiations at a mutually determined time and place.

The State Department described the meeting as “highly productive”, congratulated both sides, and claimed that the talks had established a strong foundation for future negotiations. Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh-Moawad stated that the date and location of the next meeting would be announced later. However, the talks ended without any concrete decision regarding the re-establishment of a ceasefire.

Hezbollah announced that it rejected the process of the talks held in Washington. Hezbollah General Secretary Naim Qassem described the negotiations as a “free concession” made to Israel and the United States.

Qassem stated that Israel’s primary objective in the negotiations was the disarmament of Hezbollah, adding, “Israel clearly reveals that its goal in these talks is to disarm Hezbollah; Netanyahu has repeatedly stated this. How can one enter negotiations with a predetermined objective?” He also declared in his speech, “We will not rest, we will not stop, and we will not surrender. Instead, we will speak through the battlefield.”

While the talks in Washington were ongoing, the Israeli military continued its attacks on southern Lebanon without interruption. According to information reported by the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), on the evening of Tuesday, 14 April 2026, Israeli warplanes bombed the towns of Beraşit, Ayn Bial, Tayr Diba, Kasimiyye, Sadikayn, Deyr Kifa, Western Sir, Abbasiye, Adlun, Kana and Zibkin. Israeli artillery units also targeted the area around Kefr Rumman during the same hours.

The last direct and high-level diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon took place in 1993. The two countries have no diplomatic relations. Therefore, the talks held in Washington on 14 April 2026 were recorded as the first direct and high-level contact after more than thirty years of absence.

Following the outbreak of civil war in Lebanon, Israel launched a military intervention in 1978 and occupied southern Lebanon. In the same year, the United Nations Security Council called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.

On 19 March 1978, at Lebanon’s request, the United Nations Security Council established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted unanimously on 11 August 2006, called for Israeli forces to withdraw behind the Blue Line and for the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River to be demilitarized.

The second round of preparatory talks took place on 23 April 2026 at the U.S. Department of State, following the first meeting on 14 April 2026. This meeting occurred just days before the end of the 10-day temporary ceasefire that came into effect on 17 April.

In the immediate lead-up to the second round of talks, the Israeli military continued its attacks against Lebanon. Lebanon’s official news agency, NNA, reported Israeli air strikes targeting southern villages. According to data released by Lebanon’s Ministry of Health as of 24 April 2026, the number of fatalities resulting from Israeli attacks since 2 March reached 2,491, with the number of injured rising to 7,719. During the same period, 100 healthcare workers were killed and 233 were injured; six hospitals were rendered inoperable and 116 ambulances were disabled.

Lebanese President Awn, speaking at the EU Leaders Summit in Cyprus on 24 April, stated that the Israeli military had carried out widespread destruction across Lebanon, targeting not only hospitals and medical personnel but also schools, journalists and places of worship. He noted that by 11 April, Lebanon had endured 6,800 air strikes, resulting in over 10,000 deaths and injuries, most of them women and children. Awn also recorded that the Israeli military had displaced residents of 311 villages through 1,300 evacuation orders.

As in the previous round, the second round was chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Lebanon was represented by Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamade Muavvad, and Israel by Israel’s Ambassador to Washington Yehiel Leiter.

A senior Lebanese official source stated that the meeting was a continuation of the preparatory talks held on 14 April. The same source indicated that Lebanon would demand during the talks an extension of the ceasefire and an end to the destruction of homes and the desecration of land in occupied villages.

Lebanese President Awn framed Lebanon’s position in the negotiations as follows: "We will not accept any concession, compromise or surrender that does not guarantee sovereignty and the interests of all Lebanese." Awn also emphasized that experience from past wars has shown that war brings only death, destruction and forced displacement, and therefore a diplomatic solution remains Lebanon’s safest path.

Hezbollah’s Secretary General Naim Qassem stated prior to the second round that it supported an indirect negotiation approach rather than direct talks led by the United States, adding: "We call on the Lebanese leadership to withdraw from direct negotiations that grant Israel total gains and extract unconditional concessions."

Hezbollah also characterized the talks as part of a series of "lost concessions". Qassem stated: "We reject negotiations conducted under the presence of the occupying Israeli force. These negotiations are futile. These negotiations require an internal consensus among Lebanon’s components — which has not yet been achieved. No one has the right to push Lebanon in this direction without such an internal consensus."

Israel claimed that the talks revealed a common ground between the two sides on the disarmament of Hezbollah. Some Israeli officials implied that trade agreements and tourist exchanges between the two countries could begin soon. Lebanon rejected this interpretation, stating it preferred a framework based on the 1949 ceasefire agreement.

On 24 April 2026, U.S. President Trump hosted representatives of Israel and Lebanon at the White House and announced that the ceasefire would be extended by three additional weeks. Referring to the meeting held in the Oval Office, Trump stated: "The meeting went very well. The United States will cooperate with Lebanon to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended for three weeks." Trump also noted that he expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Lebanese President Awn at the White House in the near future. UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the extension of the ceasefire.

The third round of direct talks took place on 14–15 May 2026 at the U.S. Department of State, just days before the expiration of the temporary ceasefire that began on 17 April.

The Israeli military continued its attacks against Lebanon in the lead-up to the third round. On 13 May 2026, Israeli warplanes targeted the villages of Yahun, Ayta Cebel, Kefer Ruman, Mecdel Zun, Hinniyye, Sadıkın, Debaal, Abbasiyye, Deyr Kanun, Arabsalim, Halusiyye, Haris and Mansori. In addition, two separate air strikes were carried out against the Burç Şemali area of the city of Sur.

In the village of Arabsalim, located in the Nabatiye governorate, five members of the same family were killed. In the attack on Numeyriyye, four people died; one each in Upper Nabatiye and Şehhur. In seven separate attacks by Israeli drones on vehicles across various regions of Lebanon, 12 people were killed.

On 14 May, the day the talks were set to begin, the Israeli military conducted air strikes on the villages of Sadıkın, Tuffahta and Kefre, as well as on the villages of Lebbaya, Suhmur, Yuhmur and Ayn Tine in the Bekaa region and Hadasa and Kefer Melki in the south. On the same day, the UN announced that Israeli drones had killed at least eight people, including two children, in attacks on vehicles in the Ciyeh area, approximately 20 kilometers south of Beirut.

Israel also issued evacuation orders for several villages north of the Litani River. Israeli Army Spokesperson Avichay Adraee demanded that residents of these villages move at least 1 kilometer away from their homes. These villages are located north of the Litani River.

According to data released by Lebanon’s Ministry of Health as of 13 May, the number of fatalities from Israeli attacks since 2 March increased by 29 in the past 24 hours to 2,911, while the number of injured rose to 8,824.

A senior Lebanese official source stated that prior to the talks, contacts had been made to seek a reduction in the intensity of Israel’s attacks on Lebanon. This source, who requested anonymity, said: "We are engaging in contacts to curb the escalation of Israeli attacks ahead of tomorrow’s meeting. In this context, certain guarantees are being sought." The same source noted that despite the situation on the ground, they remained hopeful for a positive outcome from the talks.

On 18 April, the Israeli military announced it had established a "Yellow Line" in the occupied areas of southern Lebanon, modeled after the one in the Gaza Strip. Under this line, 55 villages are under Israeli occupation. According to Israeli media reports, approximately 600,000 Lebanese displaced by the attacks have been prevented from returning south of the Litani River.

Israel’s "Yellow Line" did not remain confined to land; it also extended into the maritime zone. This development signals a de facto violation of the 2022 maritime boundary agreement between Lebanon and Israel and suggests Israel’s intent to reassert control over gas fields. The Israeli military has threatened attacks on all maritime vessels within a 37-kilometer zone extending from the city of Sur and the Ras Nakura coastline.

According to Israeli media reports, during the same period, the Israeli military destroyed a foundation building belonging to the Orthodox Church in the village of Deyr Mimas and a solar-powered drinking water facility using explosives. The Deyr Mimas Orthodox Church shared a photo on its social media account showing the foundation building reduced to rubble.

In response to Israel’s ceasefire violations, Hezbollah launched numerous attacks against the Israeli military in occupied areas of southern Lebanon on 13 May 2026. According to Hezbollah’s written statements, Israeli armored personnel carriers and troop concentrations in Bint Jubayl were targeted by kamikaze drones. Soldiers and vehicles at the Bulat and Kavzah positions were struck by rockets. A military vehicle in Resaf, a D9 bulldozer in Deyr Suryan, and a "Namira"-type military vehicle in the Vadi el-Uyun region were also targeted.

Hezbollah also carried out a drone strike on Roș Hanikra in northern Israel. The Galilee Medical Center reported that three people were injured, two of them seriously. The Israeli military confirmed that many people were wounded in this attack, which Hezbollah targeted at a parking lot.

On 13 May 2026, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem stated that his fighters would "respond to aggression and violations" and would "not return to the status quo before 2 March". Qassem also indicated that Hezbollah was "ready for cooperation" to achieve specific objectives, including halting Israeli attacks, withdrawing from occupied territories, deploying the Lebanese army in the south, releasing Lebanese detainees and rebuilding the southern region.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated on 13 May that it was increasingly concerned about activities by both Hezbollah members and Israeli soldiers near UN positions, particularly the increasing use of drones. UNIFIL’s press statement read: "UNIFIL is increasingly concerned about the activities of Hezbollah members and Israeli soldiers near UN positions, particularly the increasing use of drones."

Lebanon was represented at the talks by former Ambassador to Washington Simon Karam, appointed by President Awn. Also participating were Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Deputy Mission Chief Wissam Boutros, and newly added to the delegation, Lebanon’s Military Attaché in Washington General Oliver Hakme.

Israel’s delegation included Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, Head of the Israeli Military’s Strategic Division Brigadier General Amichai Levin, and Deputy Chair of the Israeli National Security Council Yossi Draznin.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unable to attend the meeting due to President Trump’s visit to China. Instead, Rubio’s advisor Michael Needham, State Department official Jay Mens, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Mişel İsa participated.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nevvaf Selam, speaking at a ceremony hosted by the Makasid Society in Beirut on 15 May 2026, called for mobilizing Arab and international support in negotiations with Israel. Selam stated that Lebanon was enduring one of the most dangerous crises since its founding, noting that for years the state had been treated "not as a common roof but as a spoils system".

Selam also announced that Lebanon would appeal to international platforms to document the crimes committed by Israel despite the ceasefire and would request that the UN send a delegation. Selam added: "Meanless adventures pursued for foreign projects and interests are enough. The latest was a war we did not choose but were forced into. This war has resulted in Israel occupying 68 villages, towns and points today, at a time when we were trying to remove it from five."

Selam further articulated his vision of the state as follows: "The state we want is one of equal citizenship, effective institutions, an independent judiciary and modern governance." He emphasized that the national army must be the only armed force and that no individual must stand above or outside the law.

Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly announced during the talks that on 25 May he had ordered the Israeli military to intensify its attacks against Lebanon. He affirmed Israel’s intent to continue operations in southern Lebanon independently of the negotiations.

Following the two-day talks, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott declared the talks had been "extremely productive" and announced that the ceasefire declared on 16 April would be extended by an additional 45 days.

Pigott also shared the following decisions with the public: The political track of the negotiations will resume on 2–3 June 2026; a security meeting involving military delegations from both countries will be held at the Pentagon on 29 May 2026.

Pigott added that the U.S. believed the talks would contribute to achieving lasting peace between the two countries, full mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the establishment of a genuine security mechanism along the shared border.

The Lebanese delegation, in its written statement, announced that concrete diplomatic progress favorable to Lebanon had been achieved through the negotiations. The statement emphasized that the ceasefire extension would allow citizens to "breathe" and open a political path toward lasting stability.

Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are a series of multilateral diplomatic negotiations conducted in Washington D.C. under the mediation of the United States, beginning on 14 April 2026. These talks took place amid escalating hostilities following aerial attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February 2026, during which Israel had launched a comprehensive military operation against Lebanon starting on 2 March 2026.

14 April 2026 saw the first meeting hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, attended by the ambassadors of both countries to Washington, and recorded as "the highest-level direct contact between Israel and Lebanon since 1993".

The process was carried out in four rounds as of 3 June 2026. The first round took place at ambassadorial level on 14 April 2026; subsequently, President Donald Trump announced a 10-day temporary ceasefire on 16 April. The second round was held on 23 April 2026, after which Trump extended the ceasefire by another three weeks. The third round took place on 14–15 May 2026, during which the ceasefire was extended by 45 days. The fourth round was conducted on 2–3 June 2026.

Throughout the talks, the Israeli military continued its attacks on Lebanon despite the ceasefire. According to data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the number of fatalities since 2 March had reached 2,124 by 14 April, 2,911 by 13 May, and 3,468 by 2 June. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nevvaf Selam supported direct negotiations, while Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah advocated for indirect talks. The talks continued as of 3 June 2026.

^{Parties participating in the talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, 14 April 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

A ceasefire agreement was implemented between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024. Under this agreement, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah was to end its military presence in the region.

However, following the implementation of the ceasefire, Israel continued its attacks on Lebanon, regularly conducting aerial strikes especially in southern areas. Despite the ceasefire terms, Israel did not fully withdraw its forces from the border and maintained its military activities on the ground.

On 28 February 2026, a regional war process began following aerial attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, U.S. bases, and regional allies.

On 2 March 2026, Hezbollah carried out a retaliatory attack against Israel, claiming it was in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the first day of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on 28 February 2026. Following this attack, the Israeli military launched a comprehensive military assault on Lebanon. In official statements, Israel cited the detection of rocket launches directed at its northern territories as justification for the operation. During the campaign, Israel conducted intense aerial and naval strikes, targeted the capital Beirut, and decided to expand its ground occupation in the south.

On 8 April 2026, a two-week temporary ceasefire was declared between the United States and Iran under Pakistani mediation. The ceasefire was regarded as a temporary measure to halt the ongoing war, with negotiations envisioned to begin toward a lasting agreement.

Disagreements emerged over the scope of the ceasefire. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the ceasefire covered all conflict zones in the region, including Lebanon. In contrast, U.S. and Israeli authorities asserted that Israel’s attacks on Lebanon were not included in the ceasefire and maintained that the Lebanese front constituted a separate process.

Iran emphasized that the continuation of the ceasefire depended on Israel halting its attacks on Lebanon. As a result, the fighting in Lebanon became directly linked to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire process, and the Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington were clearly shaped within this broader regional diplomatic context.

According to data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health as of 14 April 2026, the number of fatalities from Israeli attacks since 2 March had reached 2,124, with 6,921 injured. Of those killed, 168 were children and 254 were women. The health sector also suffered heavy losses: 88 medical personnel were killed, 206 were injured, six hospitals were rendered inoperable, and 102 ambulances were disabled. According to Lebanese government figures, the number of displaced persons in the country exceeded 1,162,000.

The U.S. Department of State announced the upcoming talks between Israel and Lebanon on the evening of 13 April 2026, Monday, stating that the meeting would be held at the Department’s headquarters on 14 April 2026, Tuesday.

Prior to the talks, Israeli media reported that Israel would not accept a ceasefire and that its ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, would attend the meeting under explicit instructions not to endorse any ceasefire.

Meanwhile, in the days leading up to the talks, hundreds of people in Beirut protested, accusing Prime Minister Nevvaf Selam of betraying the Lebanese people by sitting at the negotiation table while Israel continued its bombing campaign.

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem, in a statement on 13 April 2026, urged the Lebanese government not to participate in the talks and described this stance as “a historic and heroic position.”

High-level diplomatic representatives from the United States, Israel, and Lebanon attended the talks in Washington.

Representing the United States were U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz, State Department Advisor Michael Needham, and U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa.

Israel was represented by Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, while Lebanon was represented by its Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh-Moawad.

At the opening of the meeting held at the State Department building, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the issues between the two countries could not be resolved overnight, stating: "This is a historic opportunity. We have decades of history that brought us to this point and to this opportunity. I know you are asking about the ceasefire. The destruction caused by this situation that has persisted in this region for 20 to 30 years."

Rubio defined the talks as a process, saying: "This is not just one day. This process will take time, but we believe this effort is worth it."

The Lebanese delegation viewed the talks in Washington as a preparatory step toward re-establishing the ceasefire. Following the meeting, Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh-Moawad stated that the talks had been “productive” and reiterated the need for “the immediate full implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.”

Hamadeh-Moawad also noted that during the meeting, Lebanon emphasized its territorial integrity and state sovereignty, and called for “practical steps” to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon caused by the ongoing conflict. Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salame stressed that from Lebanon’s perspective, the talks had only the character of a “preparatory meeting” aimed at halting military operations.

Before the talks, President Joseph Aoun stated: “I hope that tonight’s meeting in Washington marks the beginning of the end of the suffering endured by the Lebanese people, especially those in the south.” He also emphasized that stability in the region could not be achieved as long as Israel maintained its military presence in southern Lebanon.

According to reports from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu viewed the initiation of the talks as “a tactic to buy time without ending the war and to demonstrate good faith to the Americans and U.S. President Donald Trump”. The same reports suggested that Ambassador Leiter had attended the meeting under explicit instructions not to endorse a ceasefire.

The U.S. Department of State’s post-meeting statement summarized Israel’s position as follows: "The State of Israel expressed its support for the disarmament of all non-state terrorist groups in Lebanon and the dismantling of all terrorist infrastructure, and affirmed its determination to cooperate with the Lebanese government to ensure the security of both peoples."

According to Al Jazeera, Israel also proposed a controversial plan to divide southern Lebanon into three security zones. Under this plan, “a dense and prolonged Israeli military presence would remain in the zone from the border to 0–8 km until Hezbollah is fully dismantled; in the second zone, extending to the Litani River, Israeli forces would continue operations while gradually transferring control to the Lebanese Army; in the third zone north of the Litani River, only the Lebanese Army would be responsible for Hezbollah’s disarmament.”

The United States assumed the role of mediator in the talks. The State Department statement noted that "the U.S. hopes the talks can lead beyond the 2024 agreement to a comprehensive peace accord. The U.S. also reaffirmed its support for Israel’s right to self-defense against Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks." It further emphasized that future talks should continue under U.S. mediation and that issues related to potential assistance for Lebanon’s reconstruction would also be addressed.

Following the talks in Washington, the U.S. Department of State announced that the parties had agreed to begin direct negotiations at a mutually determined time and place.

The Department described the meeting as “highly productive”, congratulated both sides, and claimed the contact had established a strong foundation for future negotiations. Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh-Moawad indicated that the date and location of the next meeting would be announced later. However, the talks concluded without any concrete decision on re-establishing a ceasefire.

Hezbollah announced its rejection of the talks held in Washington. Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem described the negotiations as a “free concession” made to Israel and the United States.

Qassem stated that Israel’s primary objective in the talks was the disarmament of Hezbollah, adding: “Israel clearly reveals that its goal in these negotiations is to disarm Hezbollah; Netanyahu has stated this repeatedly. How can one enter negotiations with a predetermined objective?” He further declared: “We will not rest, we will not stop, and we will not surrender. Instead, we will speak through the battlefield.”

While the talks in Washington were ongoing, the Israeli military continued its attacks on southern Lebanon without interruption. According to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA), on the evening of 14 April 2026, Tuesday, Israeli warplanes bombed the villages of Berashit, Ayn Bial, Tayr Diba, Kasimiyye, Sadikayn, Deyr Kifa, Western Sir, Abbasiye, Adlun, Kana, and Zibkin. Israeli artillery units also targeted the area around Kefr Rumman during the same period.

The last direct and high-level diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon took place in 1993. The two countries have no diplomatic relations. Therefore, the meeting held in Washington on 14 April 2026 was recorded as the first direct and high-level contact in over thirty years.

Following the outbreak of civil war in Lebanon, Israel launched a military intervention in 1978 and occupied southern Lebanon. In the same year, the United Nations Security Council called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.

On 19 March 1978, at Lebanon’s request, the United Nations Security Council established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted unanimously on 11 August 2006, called for Israeli forces to withdraw behind the Blue Line and for the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River to be demilitarized.