The parties agreed to launch direct negotiations at a time and place to be agreed upon

An American-Israeli-Lebanese statement was issued this evening, Tuesday, at the conclusion of the first direct meeting between Lebanese and Israeli parties in the American capital, Washington.

Below are the highlights of the statement:

• Lebanon reiterated the urgent need to fully implement the Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities issued in November 2024.
• Lebanon stressed the principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty.
• Lebanon called for a ceasefire and to take concrete measures to address the severe humanitarian crisis that the country is still suffering from as a result of the ongoing conflict and mitigate its repercussions.
• The United States stressed that the cessation of hostilities agreement must be concluded under its auspices and not on a separate track.
• The United States confirmed that negotiations may open the way for aid for the reconstruction of Lebanon.
• The United States affirmed that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hezbollah.
• All parties agreed to launch direct negotiations at a time and place agreed upon.

Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamada Moawad, also stated the following after the meeting:

• This introductory meeting was good.

• We thank the American side for hosting this meeting and facilitating the talks.

• I reiterated the urgent need to fully implement the November 2024 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

• I stressed the integrity of our lands and the state’s full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory.

• I called for a ceasefire and the return of the displaced to their homes.

• I called for practical steps to be taken to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis that the country continues to suffer from as a result of the ongoing conflict

• The date and location of the next meeting will be announced at a later date.

For his part, US President Donald Trump, commenting on the ongoing talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, said that he hopes to achieve “success” in these efforts, stressing that his country is working to bring the two parties together soon.

Trump considered that the main obstacle lies in Hezbollah, saying: “They must get rid of Hezbollah… Hezbollah is the problem.”

This took place today, Tuesday, in the first direct meeting at the official level between Lebanese and Israeli parties at the headquarters of the US State Department, with the participation of Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamada Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yehiel Laiter, and mediated by the US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, with the symbolic presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

This coincided with a field escalation, represented by intense Israeli raids on southern Lebanon, versus successive attacks carried out by Hezbollah on northern Israel.

Prior to this meeting, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed his hope that “the meeting in Washington will constitute the beginning of ending the suffering of the Lebanese in general and southerners in particular.”

Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon, Tariq Mitri, confirmed that what is required for a truce with Israel is a minimum truce that allows negotiations to take place, which are usually conducted in a calm atmosphere and not in light of military operations.

On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar considered that there are no major differences between Israel and Lebanon and that the only problem is Hezbollah, and it must be addressed.

As for Hezbollah, through its Secretary-General Naeem Qassem yesterday, Monday, it stressed its categorical rejection of any negotiations with Israel, and described direct negotiations as absurd.

He also stipulated a Lebanese consensus to change the compass, stressing that no one can drag Lebanon to this path without an internal consensus that has not yet occurred.