The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced the start of direct negotiations with Lebanon to disarm the Shiite group Hezbollah and promote “peaceful relations” between the two countries. This announcement comes amid an intensification of the Israeli offensive in Lebanon and differences over the scope of a ceasefire.
Netanyahu stated that, in response to Lebanon’s calls to initiate these discussions, he instructed his Cabinet to do so as soon as possible. He also praised the position of Lebanese President Nawaf Salam, who requested the evacuation of Beirut.
Hours earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Hezbollah “longs for a ceasefire,” although Israeli bombings in Lebanon have continued, even after a ceasefire negotiated with Iran came into effect. Since the beginning of this offensive on March 2, more than 1,700 people have lost their lives in Lebanon, including 12 Israeli soldiers and three civilians in Israel.
The Israeli government’s strategy includes the establishment of defensive lines in southern Lebanon, aiming to control the infiltration of Hezbollah fighters. For more details on the conflict, you can read our coverage of the attacks in Lebanon.
