Lebanon, US Urge Israel to Pause Hezbollah Strikes
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- Lebanon and the U.S. have formally requested that Israel pause its airstrikes against Hezbollah ahead of direct talks scheduled for next week.
- U.S. officials say Lebanon was not covered by the existing ceasefire but are urging Israel to de‑escalate to avoid undermining U.S.–Iran negotiations.
- Israeli ambassadors will meet with Lebanese counterparts in Washington on Tuesday under State Department auspices for a first round of direct negotiations.
- Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, stated that Israel will promote a peace agreement with Lebanon but will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
- Benjamin Netanyahu is reviewing the Lebanese request for a tactical pause and has not yet decided; an Israeli source suggests a short pause may be possible.
- Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s prime minister, is slated to travel to Washington next week for a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the first senior Lebanese visit since the Trump administration assumed office.
Why it matters: If Israel agrees to a pause, Hezbollah’s operational tempo may be constrained while Lebanon gains diplomatic leverage ahead of talks; a refusal would keep the conflict heating, potentially jeopardizing U.S.–Iran negotiations that hinge on regional de‑escalation and could force Washington to recalibrate its pressure on Tehran.
