Naqoura (TDI): Lebanon and Israel convened their first direct talks in more than 40 years on Wednesday. Civilian delegates from both countries joined a session of the US-led ceasefire monitoring committee in Naqoura, marking a historic moment in direct dialogue between the two neighbors.
The talks took place at the peacekeeping headquarters of the UN in UNIFIL, located in Naqoura near the shared border.
The Israeli delegation was led by Uri Resnick, Deputy Director for Foreign Policy at the National Security Council. The United States was represented by Morgan Ortagus, its special envoy for Lebanon, while Lebanon’s team was headed by former ambassador to the US, Simon Karam.
For months, the United States has encouraged both Lebanon and Israel to expand the committee’s mandate beyond merely monitoring the 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah. The recent session comes amid rising concerns over potential renewed conflict following Israeli airstrikes on Beirut last month.
Although Lebanon and Israel have technically been in a state of war since 1948, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam clarified that the current discussions are strictly focused on implementing last year’s truce. “We are not yet engaged in peace talks,” Salam told journalists, on Wednesday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that while establishing peace with Israel could eventually pave the way for normalizing relations and economic cooperation, these milestones remain distant given the current geopolitical climate.
Read More: Israel Kills Hezbollah Chief of Staff Tabtabai in Beirut
“Economic talks will be a part of normalization; normalization will follow peace. It cannot precede peace,” Salam stated, responding to Israel’s recent comments about hopes to develop ties and economic partnerships with Lebanon.
He emphasized that the talks aim solely at achieving a cessation of hostilities, securing the release of Lebanese hostages, and ensuring Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the talks as “constructive,” noting that both sides agreed to explore ideas aimed at fostering potential economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon.
It has also been emphasized that the disarmament of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah remains a non-negotiable priority, irrespective of any progress on economic collaboration.
Following the meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office reiterated that the discussions, held “in a positive atmosphere,” resulted in an agreement to explore ideas for potential economic collaboration between Israel and Lebanon.
The discussions, held under the supervision of US officials, signal a cautious but important step toward dialogue after decades of strained relations.
Both sides have underscored the importance of measured engagement and adherence to ceasefire agreements as a foundation for any further negotiations.
Minahil Khurshid holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from CIPS, NUST. She has a strong interest in current affairs, geopolitics, and policy analysis.
