Israel-Lebanon Negotiations on Hezbollah Disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah and a historic peace agreement. This decision follows repeated requests from Lebanon for talks, even as Israel continues its military operations against Hezbollah, vowing to strike with full force until security is restored. Lebanon's government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has responded by instructing security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions, signaling a move towards asserting state authority and demilitarization. However, Hezbollah has rejected disarmament and direct negotiations with Israel while Israeli strikes and occupation continue, arguing such talks would amount to surrender. The United States has urged Israel to calm its strikes and open negotiations, while a fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, which Tehran believes includes a halt to Israeli operations in Lebanon, further complicates diplomatic efforts. The talks are expected to focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations, with Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the United States, reportedly representing Israel.