Israel confirmed it will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah during the upcoming US-mediated negotiations with Lebanon in Washington.
Officials emphasised that Hezbollah remains the primary obstacle to progress, reinforcing Tel Aviv’s intent to sustain military pressure. Ambassador Yechiel Leiter described Hezbollah as the “main obstacle,” underscoring Israel’s hard line amid continued attacks in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon insists on a ceasefire before talks can move forward. President Joseph Aoun declared that the “only solution” is a cessation of hostilities, pressing for a temporary pause similar to the US-Iran truce. Hezbollah refuses direct talks with Israel, deepening divisions over how negotiations should proceed.
Iran has demanded that any truce include fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, arguing that conflicts across the region are interconnected. The US and Israel maintain that the ceasefire framework applies only to the US-Iran track. This dispute has emerged as a major sticking point in parallel diplomatic efforts.
The United States faces a balancing act as a mediator. Washington seeks to prevent the Lebanon conflict from undermining the fragile US-Iran ceasefire. Both Washington and Beirut have asked Israel for a tactical pause, but Prime Minister Netanyahu confronts political and strategic challenges in halting operations.
