Israel to hold direct talks with Lebanon but no ceasefire, Netanyahu says
Lebanese officials had called for a ceasefire before talks begin.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"There is no ceasefire in Lebanon."
— Benjamin Netanyahu , Politician
"At this time, no alternative medical facilities are available to receive approximately 450 patients from the two hospitals (including 40 patients in the ICU), rendering their evacuation operationally unfeasible."
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , Executive
"the only solution"
— Joseph Aoun , Politician
"These barbaric acts of aggression — which recognize no right and respect no agreements or commitments — have repeatedly demonstrated an utter disregard for all international laws and norms."
— Joseph Aoun , Politician
"the two-week truce does not apply to Lebanon."
— Benjamin Netanyahu , Politician
"the US, Iran and their allies have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere."
— Shehbaz Sharif , Politician
"Iran has been running the military campaign that Hezbollah has launched in southern Lebanon."
— Nawaf Salam , Politician
"Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"That is not the agreement we have!"
— Donald Trump , Politician
"In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to start direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible."
— Benjamin Netanyahu , Politician
"The only solution to the ongoing situation in the country was to achieve a ceasefire."
— Joseph Aoun , Politician
"The Lebanese government should demand a ceasefire as a precondition before further steps."
— Ali Fayyad , Politician
"no ceasefire in Lebanon and Israel would continue to strike Hezbollah with full force"
— Benjamin Netanyahu , Politician
"We did not seek war and we do not want it."
— Mojtaba Khamenei , Politician
"negotiations were meaningless as long as Israel continued to bomb Lebanon"
— Masoud Pezeshkian , Politician
"Lebanon was not included in the deal because of Hezbollah's role."
— Donald Trump , Politician
Key People
Hezbollah lawmaker opposing negotiations with Israel.
Supreme Leader of Iran.
Benjamin Netanyahu is the prime minister of Israel.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Joseph Aoun is the President of Lebanon.
Masoud Pezeshkian is the President of Iran.
Michel Issa is the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon.
Iran's Supreme Leader who is involved in ongoing peace negotiations.
Naim Qassem is the deputy leader of Hezbollah.
Lebanese Prime Minister who accused Israel of war crimes regarding the targeting of journalists.
Pete Hegseth is the United States Secretary of Defense.
Saeed Khatibzadeh is Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister.
Shehbaz Sharif is the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Yechiel Leiter is the Israeli ambassador to the United States.
Tags
All Coverage
Lebanese officials had called for a ceasefire before talks begin.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah, potentially boosting Middle East ceasefire efforts.
Despite a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated it does not include Lebanon, as Israel conducted extensive airstrikes across the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office expressed support for the U.S. decision to suspend strikes on Iran but stated the two-week truce does not apply to Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced readiness for direct negotiations with Lebanon, focusing on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations, while continuing military operations against Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and establish relations, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and international calls for a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed readiness to hold direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish peaceful relations, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for negotiations with Lebanon after intense bombardment of Beirut threatened to undo the US-Iran ceasefire, without indicating a halt in Israeli strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire does not cover Lebanon, contradicting Tehran's version of the agreement.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Kushner to hold talks with Netanyahu after rare meeting with Hamas - Reuters
Kushner to hold talks with Netanyahu after rare meeting with Hamas Reuters
August 17, 2026 at 06:17 AMEleven killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, authorities say
Israel's military said it had struck "Hezbollah terror infrastructure" in response to what it described as an earlier action against its soldiers.
August 15, 2026 at 12:25 PMUS wants Netanyahu to condemn settler siege in Palestinian village, officials say - Reuters
US wants Netanyahu to condemn settler siege in Palestinian village, officials say Reuters
August 14, 2026 at 11:45 AMKushner, Netanyahu agree on path forward for Gaza, Board of Peace official says - Reuters
Kushner, Netanyahu agree on path forward for Gaza, Board of Peace official says Reuters
August 17, 2026 at 03:30 PMIsrael kills six in Gaza on day after Kushner meeting with Netanyahu, medics say - Reuters
Israel kills six in Gaza on day after Kushner meeting with Netanyahu, medics say Reuters
August 18, 2026 at 05:03 PMTrump's envoys meet mediators, Israel strikes Gaza - Reuters
Trump's envoys meet mediators, Israel strikes Gaza Reuters
August 16, 2026 at 05:58 PM