Lebanon brings ceasefire and battlefield assessment to first direct military talks with Israel—what will be on the table?

Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

Next Friday, for the first time in the trajectory of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, expanded military delegations from both countries will meet at the U.S. Department of War, days before a second round of direct political talks scheduled for June 2–3.

The composition of the Lebanese delegation has been finalized. It will be headed by the Lebanese army’s Director of Operations, Brig. Gen. Georges Rizkallah.

Its core will consist of specialists, including officers from the operations directorate, military intelligence, international humanitarian law, and an engineering officer.

So what will the Lebanese military delegation bring?

According to available information, the delegation’s file is comprehensive and strictly technical in nature.

It will first call for the consolidation of the ceasefire. However, its main focus will be on presenting the scale of achievements made by the Lebanese army in restricting weapons since it was tasked by the Lebanese government with implementing this decision, supported by evidence and documentation.

The delegation will also explain why it has not conducted searches of private homes and property. More importantly, it will highlight the extensive work carried out despite limited logistical capabilities, as well as what it has been able to gather through its own efforts regarding sites and weapons in southern Lebanon in particular.

From this perspective, the Lebanese delegation will stress to the U.S. sponsor the need for international financial support to strengthen the military institution and enhance its capabilities.

The inclusion of army officers is intended to reflect their familiarity with conditions on the ground. They will present a field-based assessment that includes Israeli violations, occupied, bulldozed, and mined areas, as well as the scale of displacement and destruction.

The delegation, which is coordinating preparations for the session with its leadership and will remain in contact with it, will also carry presidential directives. Lebanon recognizes it has no option but to try to reduce the burdens of the war.

It also comes amid mounting pressure that has reached security and military institutions, most recently the placement of two officers from the army and General Security on the U.S. OFAC sanctions list, a move observers have linked to the upcoming military and political negotiations aimed at shaping a roadmap for the next phase.