Israel’s Historic Diplomatic Shift: Talks with Lebanon

In a surprising diplomatic shift, Israel has sent a civilian official to Lebanon for government talks for the first time in decades. This initial step toward broader engagement comes as Lebanon faces pressure to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, a commitment supported by a U.S. proposal linking Hezbollah’s disarmament to an Israeli military withdrawal and regional stabilization. The U.S. has urged Lebanon to fulfill this pledge, warning that failure to do so could result in renewed military action. However, Hezbollah has rejected the disarmament plan, warning of serious consequences if forced, overshadowing hopes for a stable rapprochement.