Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in the coming days, officials say

Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in the coming days, according to two Israeli officials cited by Reuters, as diplomatic efforts intensify alongside ongoing military operations along the northern front.

Despite public denials, Israeli officials say indirect contacts are already taking place through the United States and France, as Jerusalem weighs the possibility of a diplomatic arrangement aimed at ending the fighting and addressing the role of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

According to reporting by i24NEWS correspondent Guy Azriel, Israel has largely avoided targeting civilian infrastructure in recent strikes in Beirut’s Dahieh district and southern Lebanon. Officials say this approach reflects efforts to preserve space for a potential diplomatic outcome. Former Israeli minister Ron Dermer also visited Saudi Arabia last week to discuss the issue, according to a report by CNN.

A senior Western diplomat told i24NEWS that discussions remain ongoing. “Reality is more complex than the public statements. France proposed hosting Israel-Lebanon talks in Paris. Lebanon is interested, the US is engaged, but Israel hasn’t made a formal decision yet,” the diplomat said.

Israeli officials acknowledge that convincing the public to support a diplomatic solution may be difficult following what they describe as the Lebanese government’s failure to disarm Hezbollah over the past year. The Iran-backed group remains a central issue in any potential agreement.

“Any long-term solution to eliminate Hezbollah must combine diplomacy with military action,” an Israeli official familiar with the discussions told i24NEWS. “Hezbollah is huge — we won’t be able to get rid of it through war alone. We haven’t succeeded for years. We must look ahead and build a strong Lebanon with international backing that will weaken Hezbollah, alongside targeted military assistance from us. That’s the way.”