Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that he has instructed his cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible, responding to repeated requests from the Lebanese side.

He emphasized that the talks will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon and stressed that Israel welcomes Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s call for a weapons-free Beirut.

Annahar captures the extensive destruction in Beirut neighborhoods caused by Israeli airstrikes (Hossam Shbaro)

Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Israeli Ambassador Yehiel Leiter will lead the direct negotiations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun as part of efforts to maintain the ceasefire and advance the peace process between the two countries.

Negotiations with Lebanon will begin soon.

Meanwhile, the American website Axios reported that an Israeli official said there is currently no ceasefire in Lebanon and that direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will begin in the coming days.

Netanyahu announces negotiations with Lebanon after U.S. pressure https://t.co/GilnHx4co1

— Axios (@axios) April 9, 2026

Who will lead the negotiations?

American sources told Axios that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff asked Netanyahu to ease the strikes and open negotiations with Lebanon.

They added that former Israeli minister Ron Dermer may head Israel’s delegation in the talks, noting that the discussions will be led on the American side by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, on the Israeli side by Yehiel Leiter, and on the Lebanese side by Nada Maawad.

Axios reported that Netanyahu’s agreement to hold the negotiations came after phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump and Witkoff.

Temporary ceasefire

A senior Lebanese official told Reuters that Lebanon is calling for a temporary ceasefire to allow direct talks with Israel, noting that the negotiations will be conducted as a separate track but will follow the model of the Iran-U.S. ceasefire.

The official explained that the date and location for the ceasefire talks with Israel have not yet been determined and that Lebanon requires the United States to act as a guarantor for any agreement to ensure its implementation.

State monopoly on weapons

Earlier today, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that Lebanon will submit an urgent complaint to the UN Security Council regarding recent Israeli attacks, which have expanded to include the capital, Beirut.

Salam stressed that this dangerous escalation undermines all efforts to stop the war and emphasized the need for the Lebanese army and security forces to enforce full state sovereignty over Beirut and to ensure that all weapons are held exclusively by the state.

Israel expands warnings in the southern suburbs

After several attacks in recent days on the Jnah–Ghobeiri area, the Israeli army today added Jnah to its comprehensive warning list for the southern suburbs of Beirut, amid ongoing escalation following yesterday’s intense air campaign in Lebanon.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee published a map covering the areas of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj Barajneh, Tahoueitat Al-Ghadir, Shiyyah, and Jnah.