Netanyahu Announces Lebanon Peace Negotiations While Vowing No Ceasefire
In a single address, Israeli PM combines military hard line with diplomatic breakthrough claim
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark message to residents of northern Israel on Thursday night, declaring that “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon” and that Israeli forces will continue striking Hezbollah “with full force” until security is restored.
But in the same statement, the Prime Minister also announced that he has instructed the Cabinet to begin direct peace negotiations with Lebanon — following what he described as repeated requests from the Lebanese government.
The dual announcement, posted to the Prime Minister’s official social media account, presents a complex and potentially contradictory picture of Israel’s current posture toward its northern neighbor.
Two Goals for Negotiations
Netanyahu outlined two primary objectives for the newly ordered talks:
· First, the disarming of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that controls much of southern Lebanon.
· Second, a “historic, sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”
The Prime Minister did not explain how ongoing military strikes would be reconciled with simultaneous negotiations, nor did he specify whether a ceasefire would be a precondition for talks.
Regional Context
Netanyahu framed both the military campaign and the diplomatic initiative as evidence of a broader strategic shift.
“Our great achievements, both in Iran and against the Axis of Evil, have brought about a historic shift in Israel’s standing in the region,” he said. “They have also led to a change in our ties with countries we did not have relations with in the past.”
He further noted that he has already secured four peace agreements with Arab nations and intends to bring more — “true peace, peace through strength.”
No Immediate Lebanese Confirmation
There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese government or from Hezbollah regarding Netanyahu’s claim that Beirut had repeatedly requested peace negotiations. Lebanon and Israel have technically been in a state of war for decades, and previous attempts at U.S.-mediated talks have stalled.
The Prime Minister concluded his statement with a bullish assessment: “Israel is stronger than ever; Iran is weaker than ever.”
Northern Residents on Edge
For residents of northern Israel, who have faced near-daily rocket fire and cross-border skirmishes, the message offered both reassurance of continued military pressure and the prospect of a longer-term diplomatic solution — though the path from one to the other remains unclear.
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