Destruction in Lebanon (archive photo)
The Lebanese government and Donald Trump’s administration have asked Israel to halt its attacks on Hezbollah ahead of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon scheduled for next week, according to sources familiar with the matter.Axios sources said the request was not related to a formal ceasefire but rather a “gesture” that would allow negotiations to begin in a less hostile environment. The move comes as Israeli strikes in Lebanon remain a major point of tension in broader regional diplomacy involving the United States and Iran.
He watches
Hezbollah fires a missile storm at an Israeli city; Huge fireball, destruction on camera
American officials said they supported the Lebanese request and urged Israel to consider de-escalation. They stress that although Lebanon has not been officially included within any ceasefire framework mentioned by Iran, reducing military activity could help create space for negotiations.But Israeli officials said there is currently no ceasefire. They said that Israel is open to seeking a broader agreement with Lebanon but will not negotiate a ceasefire with Hezbollah.According to Axios sources, Lebanon has conveyed, through American intermediaries, a proposal to Israel to reduce strikes, limit operations to imminent threats, and effectively return to the understandings associated with ceasefire arrangements in November 2024.
The United States is said to support the idea and is pressuring Israel to accept it. They also claimed that the Israeli side is reviewing the request. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet made a decision, officials have indicated that a brief tactical pause in airstrikes is not out of the question.These developments come ahead of a meeting in Washington next week between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon under the auspices of the United States, on the occasion of the first round of direct talks. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is also expected to visit Washington for talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on what could constitute the next phase of negotiations.