JERUSALEM – According to two knowledgeable sources cited by Israeli publication Haaretz on Saturday, Israel and Lebanon are preparing for face-to-face negotiations in the upcoming days, marking their first direct diplomatic contact since the Iran conflict began and subsequently drew Lebanon into the broader regional fighting.
The discussions are anticipated to take place either in Paris or Cyprus, with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, participating in the process. Ron Dermer, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is slated to head Israel’s negotiating team, according to the Haaretz report.
The diplomatic efforts are planned to concentrate on halting the violence in Lebanon and dismantling the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah, the newspaper indicated.
The Lebanese armed faction began attacking Israeli targets on March 2, stating they were responding to the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader when the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran commenced.
Following these attacks, Israel initiated a comprehensive aerial bombardment campaign targeting the influential Lebanese militant group. This military action has resulted in over 770 fatalities and forced hundreds of thousands of civilians from their homes. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rocket strikes into Israeli territory across the border.
