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Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks since 1983 in Washington

Israeli and Lebanese envoys met in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to seek an agreement to stop Israeli attacks and shore up a recent ceasefire, while fighting and civilian deaths continue along the border.

Apr 14th 2026 · Lebanon

Insights

  • Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as mediator in Washington.
  • The talks aim to halt Israeli strikes and consolidate a ceasefire agreed last week by the US and Iran, according to a State Department official.
  • The meeting will focus on long-term security for Israel's northern border and support for Lebanon's claim to full sovereignty over its territory.
  • Hezbollah rejected the talks and its deputy leader Naim Qassem called them futile, saying any negotiations require prior consensus among Lebanese forces.
  • New Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed three people in Adloun, Sidon district, and the Israeli military confirmed one soldier killed and three wounded in combat in the south; more than 2,000 people have now died in Lebanon since the offensive began.

Sources