Israel and Lebanon set to meet for first direct talks in more than 30 years

Israel and Lebanon set to meet for first direct talks in more than 30 years April 14, 20267:27 AM ET By  Kat Lonsdorf ,  Daniel Estrin People stand amid the graves of Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli strikes, at a cemetery in Choueifat on April 13, 2026. Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images BEIRUT, TEL AVIV — Lebanon and Israel are holding on Tuesday their first direct diplomatic talks in more than 30 years. The talks are aimed at preparing negotiations to resolve Israel's conflict with the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. Middle East conflict A Hezbollah commander describes battling Israel in Lebanon The meeting — to be held at the State Department in Washington, D.C., between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States — is rare. No major breakthrough is expected to result from the meeting. But an official briefed on Israel's strategy, who was not authorized to speak publicly, described Tuesday's talks to NPR as "preparatory," and meant to lay out a framework for future negotiations. These talks come after six weeks of fighting between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon where more than 2000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes according to Lebanese health officials. Hezbollah has also fired at Israel, killing at least 12 soldiers and two civilians. Israel invaded southern Lebanon, destroying 40,000 homes, according to Lebanese officials, and carrying out strikes killing Hezbollah operatives and civilians. Sponsor Message Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz both joined invading troops inside Lebanon over the weekend where Katz said Israel would remove the threat "just as we did in Gaza," including demolishing homes so they can't become "terror outposts." Lebanon wants to negotiate a ceasefire, while Israel wants Lebanon to take steps to disarm Hezbollah first. Israel is preparing for a long-term...