Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin talks soon to negotiate a lasting ceasefire that would include steps toward Hezbollah's disarmament. Beirut is preparing a delegation but has not received formal notice and is pressing for a full ceasefire, as requested by President Michel Aoun. Ron Dermer is reported to lead Israel's side with French involvement; Dermer recently traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss the initiative. The conflict has killed more than 800 people in Lebanon and displaced over 800,000.
Israel and Lebanon Set To Start Talks Aimed At Lasting Ceasefire, Officials Say
Damaged vehicles and buildings, after a projectile was launched towards Israel from the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in northern Israel, March 14, 2026. REUTERS/Avi Ohayon
Israeli and Lebanese officials say talks are expected to begin in the coming days to negotiate a durable ceasefire that would include measures aimed at disarming Hezbollah, though timing and terms remain unresolved.
Beirut is assembling a delegation but has not yet received formal notification from Israel. Lebanese officials say they want clarity on whether Israel will accept President Michel Aoun's primary demand — a full ceasefire to create space for negotiations.
Who Is Involved
Israeli sources identified Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as leading Israel's delegation, and said France is involved in the initiative. Israel's Army Radio reported that Dermer, who formerly served as minister of strategic affairs, visited Saudi Arabia last week to discuss the proposed talks, which officials say would begin once the current military campaign against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah is exhausted.
Israeli soldiers use an artillery unit, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, March 15, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem
Netanyahu's office did not respond to a request for comment. Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denied that talks with Lebanon were taking place.
Context And Impact
Lebanon became directly involved in the broader regional conflict on March 2 when Hezbollah opened fire into Israel amid escalating regional tensions. Israel's subsequent offensive has killed more than 800 people in Lebanon and displaced over 800,000 from their homes.
President Aoun has signaled Lebanon's readiness for direct talks as a path toward ending the conflict. That stance comes amid growing domestic strain over Hezbollah's status: the Beirut government recently banned Hezbollah's military activities, a move the group rejected while continuing its operations and launching rockets into Israel.
An Israeli official told Reuters that the campaign against Hezbollah may be intensified and could continue even after strikes on Iran subside.
(Reporting by Maayan Lubell; additional reporting by Nazih Osseiran in Beirut; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Diane Craft)
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