Israel Opens Direct Talks With Lebanon After Hezb’Allah Purge

In recent months, Lebanese leaders have been condemning Hezbollah. No one wants Iran prozy Hezb’Allah gone more than Israel—except Lebanon.

Israel has been pushing them to actually do something about it.

Hezbollah terrorists are using civilian homes inside Lebanon to launch their missiles and rockets toward Israel.

Then the world is surprised why Israel is destroying houses in Lebanon?

Same tactic Hamas used in Gaza, by the way. pic.twitter.com/x5jg5Mjd1J

— Vivid. (@VividProwess) April 9, 2026

Prime Minister Netanyahu: In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to begin direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible. The negotiations will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon. Israel appreciates the call made today by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarize Beirut (Segal).

Jerusalem Post adds: The negotiations, expected to begin on Tuesday, will be conducted between Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Israeli sources told The Jerusalem Post (Jerusalem Post).

BREAKING: After Hezbollah violated their ceasefire with Israel, the Israeli Air Force is obliterating their positions throughout Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/WADQmnRKlU

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) April 8, 2026

Lebanon’s government continues to make progress towards become the sole source of military weapons: Lebanon’s cabinet had earlier instructed security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut exclusively to state institutions, a move that falls short of full demilitarization of the capital. “The army and security forces are requested to immediately begin reinforcing the full imposition of state authority over Beirut Governorate and to monopolize weapons in the hands of legitimate authorities alone,” Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said at the end of a cabinet meeting (Times of Israel).

BREAKING: A Hezbollah tunnel was dug directly beneath a church in Southern Lebanon.

This is what using innocent civilians as human shields looks like. pic.twitter.com/PgrSKrPr76

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) March 27, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that Israel will “begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible” and that “negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.

“The prime minister hailed the potential for “a historic and sustainable peace” between the two countries, while committing to continue strikes on Hezbollah terrorists “with great force” until security is restored for Israel’s citizens.Direct negotiations will reportedly begin next week in Washington. The American side will be led by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

Israel will be represented by Ambassador Yechiel Leiter.Meanwhile, the Lebanese government has instructed the Lebanese Armed Forces to demilitarize Beirut and ensure weapons only go to legitimate state forces, not terrorist groups like Hezbollah.Lebanon also rejected the Iranian regime dictating the terms of any negotiations on its behalf. “No one negotiates in the name of Lebanon except the Lebanese state,” Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said.

The IDF today continued its campaign of strikes against Hezbollah, killing the personal secretary of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, along with other top officials, in a series of overnight strikes in Beirut.

The IDF also struck two more key crossings over the Litani River, which had been used by Hezbollah to move weapons closer to the Israeli border, and dismantled underground infrastructure including caches of weapons (video above).

Below are more key updates. Continue to follow our social media channels to stay informed in real-time.

Jake Braunstein
Senior Director, Policy Communications