Upcoming Lebanon-Israel talks in US are 'preparatory, not negotiation'

Upcoming ceasefire talks between Lebanon and Israel, scheduled to take place next week in the US, will be preparatory in nature, not a negotiation, a senior Lebanese source said on Friday. "The meeting at the US State Department next week is preparatory, not a negotiation," the source, who requested anonymity, told Anadolu in a statement.

Conflict context

Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. The expanded Israeli offensive on Lebanon has killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Ceasefire backdrop

The expected talks between Lebanon and Israel come after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, saying Tehran had presented a "workable" 10-point proposal for negotiations. However, while Pakistani mediators and Tehran said the ceasefire includes Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv have denied that, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued.

Preparatory nature

The characterization of the talks as "preparatory" suggests that substantial negotiations on a permanent ceasefire may take place at a later date, with next week's meeting focused on setting the framework for potential future discussions.