US to host direct Lebanon Israel talks on ceasefire, border and...

3^min

Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Mariella Succar

Washington is set to host the first round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel next week, marking a shift from previous indirect talks at ambassadorial level to a higher-level format led by heads of delegation supported by military representatives.

According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, the objective of the talks is to establish a framework for a permanent security and peace arrangement, restore Lebanon’s full sovereignty over its territory, address border demarcation, and identify practical pathways for humanitarian relief and reconstruction in Lebanon.

To advance the process, Lebanon has upgraded its delegation. The Lebanese team will be led by Ambassador Simon Karam, joined by Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Moawad, and Deputy Chief of Mission Wissam Boutros.

On the military side, Lebanon will be represented by Defense Attaché in Washington Brig. Gen. Oliver Hakmeh, while Israel will appoint the head of its strategy department, Amichai Levin.

Lebanese sources said the level of military representation was debated internally, with officials concluding that assigning Brig. Gen. Hekmeh at this stage was appropriate pending the evolution of negotiations. They said he is fully briefed on technical files, including ceasefire implementation, Israeli withdrawal, and the Lebanese army’s redeployment.

The Lebanese delegation is expected to present a comprehensive dossier including detailed records of Israeli violations since the November 27, 2024 agreement, incidents since the start of the current conflict, and violations during the ceasefire period.

The file will also include documentation of destroyed and burned towns and villages, before-and-after images and maps of southern areas affected by Israeli strikes, data on civilian casualties including medics and journalists, and relevant legal texts governing Lebanon-Israel relations.

The two-day talks, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, are expected to be intensive, with each side seeking to advance its positions. The discussions will focus on maintaining the ceasefire and addressing broader security and border issues.