Lebanon, Israel begin first direct talks in more than 30 years under US mediation

Lebanon and Israel began the first round of direct diplomatic talks in more than 30 years Tuesday under US mediation as Israel continues to pursue an offensive in southern Lebanon that it says targets Hezbollah militants.

Lebanese ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh, and Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter, represented their countries during the meeting at the State Department.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also doubles as US President Donald Trump's national security advisor, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Counselor Michael Needham and US envoy to the UN Mike Waltz represented the Trump administration.

The officials paused for a brief photo before going behind closed doors to begin negotiations.

Rubio sought to temper expectations for the talks, saying the meeting represents the start of a "process," rather than a culminating event.

"All of the complexities of this matter are not going to be resolved in the next six hours, but we can begin to move forward to create a framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent," he said.

"This will take time, but we believe it is worth this endeavor, and it's a historic endeavor that we hope to build on. And the hope today is that we can outline the framework upon which a permanent and lasting peace can be developed," he added.

Asked what he expected from the sit-down, Leiter, the Israeli envoy, replied: "Only good things."

The Israeli army has expanded its air and ground offensive across Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire deal that took effect in November 2024.

According to Lebanese health authorities, at least 2,089 people have since been killed and 6,762 injured in the Israeli assault.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the previous conflicts in October 2023 and November the following year.