Israeli Ambassador to Washington Ahead of Negotiations: No Political Track with Lebanon Without Hezbollah’s Disarmament

Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter affirmed, in remarks reported by the Walla news outlet, that Israel “will not agree to any ceasefire in Lebanon that allows Hezbollah to rearm,” stressing that Tel Aviv wants to see “practical steps” from the Lebanese government to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Army.
Leiter explained that Israel intends to coordinate with the Lebanese side regarding “specific areas” in order to work on clearing them of Hezbollah weapons, considering that the Israeli presence in Lebanon is linked to what he described as the “necessity of addressing Hezbollah’s disarmament.”

He also pointed to Israel’s readiness to engage in a “broader political track” with Lebanon, on the condition that Hezbollah is dismantled, revealing that the proposed talks with the Lebanese delegation may include two tracks: a political one related to the possibility of reaching a peace treaty, and a second security-oriented track.

He added that Israel views the Lebanese file within a broader framework intersecting with American moves and efforts toward Iran.