Lebanon enters talks with Israel but with no cards to play

The Lebanese government go into peace talks with limited influence over the group.

Following a deadly Israeli airstrike that killed 13 Lebanese state security agents in Nabatiyeh, Lebanon is deeply divided over the government's decision to enter direct negotiations with Israel. This move, aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hezbollah that has persisted since early March, triggered outrage from Hezbollah and its allies, who labeled the talks 'treason' and turned to Iran for alternative diplomacy. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, facing internal unrest and public protests, seeks at least a temporary ceasefire in negotiations beginning April 13 in Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the neighbors. The talks are expected to begin next week at the State Department in Washington, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the plans. Netanyahu emphasized that there is no ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and Israel will continue striking Hezbollah until security is restored in northern Israel.

On April 10, 2026, a first meeting between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats to negotiate a ceasefire was confirmed, scheduled for the following Tuesday in Washington. However, Israel has refused to engage in dialogue with the Shiite militia Hezbollah. At the same time, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance warned Iran about its negotiating stance, mentioning that any attempt at manipulation could affect the receptivity of the U.S. team during talks in Islamabad. Iran, for its part, conditions the progress of the dialogue on the extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon, which has been heavily attacked recently by Israeli forces.