Lebanon says ceasefire must be in place before Israel talks
Lebanon’s Ceasefire Condition for Peace Talks
A Lebanese presidential official informed the BBC that the country will engage in direct talks with Israel next week, contingent upon a ceasefire being established first. This follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval of negotiations after what he described as “repeated requests from the Lebanese government.” The U.S. State Department announced plans to host a meeting in Washington next week, aiming to address ongoing ceasefire discussions between Lebanon and Israel.
Impact of Ongoing Strikes
Israeli air strikes continue, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting 357 fatalities and 1,223 injuries from Wednesday’s bombing campaign. Officials noted the toll remains provisional, as rescue teams clear rubble and identify victims through DNA testing. The Israeli military claimed the attacks eliminated at least 180 Hezbollah militants.
Human Toll and Specific Incidents
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced on Friday that 13 security officers were killed in Nabatieh’s southern region, condemning the relentless assaults. Among the casualties were seven family members in Abbassieh and 11 others in Zrarieh. A medical facility in Burj Qalaway was struck, resulting in two deaths, while a drone attack on an ambulance in Toul caused no injuries.
Dispute Over Ceasefire Agreement
A significant debate surrounds Lebanon’s inclusion in the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement announced by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Pakistan, which brokered the truce, and Iran argue Lebanon was part of the deal, while the U.S. and Israel claim otherwise. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told the BBC that Israeli strikes on Lebanon constituted a “grave violation” of the truce.
“I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t.” — U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, speaking in Budapest on Wednesday
Netanyahu’s Goals for Negotiations
In a statement to northern Israel residents, Netanyahu asserted that “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon” and noted that “after the Lebanese government’s repeated calls for peace talks, I directed the cabinet to initiate direct negotiations aimed at two objectives: disarming Hezbollah and establishing a lasting peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”
Historical Context of Talks
Direct dialogue between Lebanon and Israel is uncommon, as they have typically used intermediaries for communication. Negotiation efforts began after a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, with U.S. envoys previously facilitating indirect talks between the two sides.
Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
In Beirut, rescue teams persist in recovering bodies from the heaviest Israeli air strikes since the latest conflict began. Mohammad Hamoud, whose family runs a pharmacy in Ain el Mreisseh, described the devastation: “You cannot manage what happened, the number of bombs. In a very, very short period, complete damage everywhere. It was astonishing.” Meanwhile, UN aid agencies warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with over a million displaced people and soaring food prices. The World Food Programme (WFP) stated that disrupted incomes and rising costs are creating a food security emergency. WFP, which supported thousands of families prior to the conflict, now seeks to expand its aid efforts. Delivering supplies remains challenging, particularly in areas affected by continuous strikes.
