US hosts rare Israel-Lebanon talks, progress unclear - Reuters
US hosts rare Israel-Lebanon talks, progress unclear Reuters
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"What gives me hope is the fact that the Lebanese Government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah... This is an opportunity."
— Yechiel Leiter , Executive
"I called for a ceasefire and the return of displaced people to their homes and measures to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon caused by the conflict."
— Nada Moawad , Politician
"Tuesday's talks would not solve all of the complexities but I hoped they would help form a framework for peace."
— Marco Rubio , Politician
"the first negotiation talks between Israel and Lebanon were 'positive', saying about the two countries 'we are on the same side of the equation.'"
— Yechiel Leiter , Executive
"the militant group will not abide by any agreement made in those negotiations."
— Wafiq Safa , Activist
"No major breakthrough was expected to result from the meeting. But Rubio said it would 'outline the framework upon which a permanent and lasting peace can be developed.'"
— Marco Rubio , Politician
"We are both united in liberating Lebanon from an occupation power dominated by Iran called Hezbollah."
— Yechiel Leiter , Executive
"These negotiations are futile."
— Naim Qassem , Politician
"Israel expressed its commitment to engage in direct negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues and achieve a durable peace that will strengthen security, stability and prosperity in the region."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"Hormuz closure and Israeli strikes on Lebanon threaten regional stability."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"US-Iran talks could resume in the next two days."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"It would outline the framework upon which a permanent and lasting peace can be developed."
— Marco Rubio , Politician
"We are both united in liberating Lebanon from an occupation power dominated by Iran called Hezbollah."
— Yechiel Leiter , Executive
"These negotiations are futile."
— Naim Qassem , Politician
"I had a phone call Wednesday with Netanyahu urging him to scale down Israeli attacks in Lebanon."
— Donald Trump , Politician
Key People
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Joseph Aoun is the President of Lebanon.
U.S. Secretary of State.
Counselor for the U.S. Dept. of State.
Michel Issa is the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon.
US ambassador to the UN.
Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S.
Lebanese ambassador involved in peace talks.
Naim Qassem is the deputy leader of Hezbollah.
Lebanese Prime Minister who accused Israel of war crimes regarding the targeting of journalists.
Ursula von der Leyen is the president of the European Commission.
Wafiq Safa is a senior political council member of Hezbollah.
Yechiel Leiter is the Israeli ambassador to the United States.
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<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxOOVJIXy1WTDBQbHBhM3FlYXJKY01SaGRZSnRmdXYzeGxGYzB1TEVzbjNud1lYUG5PMjJiNHoxS2tfTDhfNzk5TnF2bGhpTU1lejRPUHVfUklvUnFfX1BuYXpxakg4eHVBdWpTM25xZkl0WW9leGREaGU3S1V5ZGVIc0pUMXJqX2pqdGtGRDNCV3R3b3BQbUdkSVVvVmpIblpwY0RLdU45T0hhcHV0LUlfNw?oc=5" target="_blank">US hosts rare Israel-Lebanon talks, progress unclear</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
A senior Hezbollah official, Wafiq Safa, declared that the group will not recognize or be bound by any agreements emerging from the U.S.-hosted direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, highlighting Hezbollah's opposition to the talks.
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held rare direct talks in Washington, a tentative step towards broader negotiations to end hostilities involving Hezbollah.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to host a pivotal meeting in Washington, D.C. between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, marking the beginning of direct negotiations amid ongoing conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in decades, but it remains unclear if they agreed on a framework for peace.
Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in over three decades in Washington amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.
On April 14, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initiated direct peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon by hosting their ambassadors in Washington for a two-hour meeting.
Lebanon and Israel are holding their first direct diplomatic talks in over 30 years in Washington, D.C., aiming to resolve the conflict with Hezbollah.
Senior diplomats from Lebanon and Israel met in Washington, a rare face-to-face encounter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to make peace between the two states.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in decades, but it was unclear if they agreed on a framework for peace.
Israeli and Lebanese officials held their first direct negotiations since 1983, as Israel continues its military campaign against Hezbollah.
Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington, aiming to end the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
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