Israel has stated that any withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from southern Lebanon is not under discussion until Hezbollah disarms, according to a senior Israeli official. The statement comes ahead of a third round of talks between Israel and Lebanon, scheduled to open in Washington on Thursday.
The Israeli delegation will again be led by Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter. Previous rounds, mediated by the United States, have failed to produce a breakthrough, with the U.S. unable to organize a trilateral meeting including Lebanese representatives, as reported by Israeli media.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other countries, has not indicated any willingness to disarm. The group's arsenal remains a key sticking point in negotiations, which are part of broader efforts to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon border region.
The talks are taking place against a backdrop of ongoing tensions, with sporadic exchanges of fire between the IDF and Hezbollah along the border since the 2023 Gaza war. The U.S. has been pushing for a diplomatic solution to prevent a wider conflict.
