Lebanon and Israel held their first civilian-led direct talks in decades on Wednesday, in a meeting hosted by UNIFIL in Naqura as part of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism established in November 2024. The shift from military to political dialogue marks a historic rupture in Lebanese policy—driven by President Joseph Aoun’s bold decision to appoint veteran diplomat Simon Karam to lead the Lebanese delegation.
For the first time, Lebanon openly signaled readiness to engage Israel on political and security issues, not just technical files. Aoun’s move—unprecedented since the civil war—positions Lebanon on a potential path toward direct negotiations with Israel. Diplomatic sources say the decision reflects an effort to reduce the risk of war, weaken Hezbollah’s monopoly over security, and align Lebanon with regional shifts, including the Abraham Accords.
The United States, which has been pressing Beirut to accelerate Hezbollah’s disarmament, backed the civilian format. U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus attended the meeting, arriving directly from Jerusalem, where she held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Netanyahu’s office confirmed it had dispatched a civilian representative “to establish a basis for a relationship and economic cooperation,” calling the step an initial opening toward structured ties. Israel has repeatedly urged Lebanon to join the Abraham Accords.
The talks come as the Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire enters its second year. Israel claims to have conducted 1,200 “targeted activities” and killed more than 370 fighters from Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups since November 2024. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli strikes intensified recently amid concerns that Beirut is not doing enough to contain Hezbollah.
While no breakthrough is expected immediately, Wednesday’s meeting formally introduces a new political framework between the two countries—something unthinkable in Lebanon until now. Analysts say Aoun’s decision to bring in Karam and embrace direct dialogue could become the starting point of a long-delayed peace track, provided both sides sustain the momentum and Hezbollah’s armed presence is addressed.
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