What people in Lebanon are saying about talks with Israel
This is how people in Lebanon are reacting to the country’s first direct talks with Israel in decades.

This is how people in Lebanon are reacting to the country’s first direct talks with Israel in decades.





![Aragon's team cuts peppers as she cooks chicken in the kitchen. [Justin Salhani/Al Jazeera]](https://aljazeeranews-mggx1uo47w.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-15-at-09.35.33-1776234948.png?resize=678%2C513&quality=80)



![Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter walks outside of the State Department in Washington, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. [Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo]](https://aljazeeranews-mggx1uo47w.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AP26104660611384_cropped-1776192876.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
Israel’s ambassador to the US said Lebanon revealed a mutual desire to be liberated from Hezbollah.
![Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter stand together before meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. [Oliver Contreras/AFP]](https://aljazeeranews-mggx1uo47w.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AFP__20260414__A7RW3G8__v1__HighRes__UsIsraelLebanonDiplomacy_cropped_for_VERTICAL-1776183968.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States arrived for their countries’ first direct talks in decades.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said Israel wants to reach “peace and normalisation” with Lebanon.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government freezes automatic renewal of defence cooperation deal with Israel.
Israel wants to expand in the Middle East. Its failure to defeat Iran is a major setback for its hegemonic plans.

Officials from Lebanon and Israel are meeting in the US for talks on Tuesday.
Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks since 1993, but Hezbollah’s rejection threatens the US-brokered effort.
The US started a blockade on Iranian ports, but Trump said there is still a chance for Tehran to reach a deal.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has urged Lebanon to cancel a planned Washington meeting with Israeli representatives.

Von der Leyen warns Hormuz closure and Israeli strikes on Lebanon threaten regional stability.