Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his top officials to launch peace talks with Lebanon immediately after being told to ‘calm down’ during a phone call with Donald Trump.
The Israeli prime minister held a phone call between Trump and White House envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday, according to Axios. Witkoff reportedly told Netanyahu to ‘calm down’ the strikes in Lebanon and open peace negotiations.
Trump’s request came as the US prepares to meet with Iranian leaders in Pakistan to negotiate an end to the war.
Amid Trump’s two-week ceasefire with Iran, Israel has continued to bombard urban population centers in Lebanon, including Beirut, killing and injuring civilians.
Iran claims Lebanon was part of the ceasefire deal with the US and is now threatening to abandon peace talks and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed unless Israel stops attacking its proxy, Hezbollah, in the region.
US and Israel diplomats deny that the ceasefire with the Islamic regime applies to Netanyahu’s ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Officials close to Netanyahu said Israel would not observe a ceasefire with Lebanon until a formal agreement is reached during upcoming peace talks.
Israel has rapidly escalated their attacks against Lebanon since the announcement of the US-Iran ceasefire, killing an estimated 254 people with air strikes, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.
Israel has rapidly escalated their attacks against Lebanon since the announcement of the US-Iran ceasefire, killing an estimated 254 people with air strikes
Iran claims Lebanon was part of the ceasefire deal with the US and is now threatening to abandon peace talks and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed unless Israel stops
Officials close to Netanyahu said Israel would not observe a ceasefire with Lebanon until a formal agreement is reached during upcoming peace talks
The Israeli prime minister held a phone call between Trump and White House envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday. Witkoff reportedly told Netanyahu to ‘calm down’ the strikes in Lebanon and open peace negotiations
‘In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,’ Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister noted that negotiations ‘will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.’
Iran for decades has used proxy Islamic militant groups, such as Hezbollah, to attack US and Israel assets in the Middle East.
A senior Israel official said that negotiations between Netanyahu’s cabinet and Lebanon are set to begin next week.
The summit will be hosted by the US in Washington DC at the State Department headquarters.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa will moderate the talks while Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter will represent Netanyahu. The Lebanese group will be represented by Ambassador Nada Hamadeh-Moawad.