FIRST ON FOX: A U.S. official involved in the discussions has characterized recent reports suggesting Israel and Lebanon are pursuing full “normalization” as “overblown,” warning that they could jeopardize sensitive negotiations. The official spoke to Digital.
Israeli news outlets, citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, reported that renewed talks with Lebanon aimed to establish standard diplomatic relations between the two countries. This comes shortly after a ceasefire agreement was reached following Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah.
However, the U.S. official, who wished to remain anonymous due to the delicate nature of the Israel-Lebanon discussions, stated that removing Hezbollah and corrupt officials from Lebanon is currently the top priority.
The official emphasized that “the current focus is ridding Lebanon of Hezbollah and corrupt officials.”
The establishment of “normalized” ties between Israel and other Middle Eastern nations was a key objective of the Trump administration, which sought to enhance Israel’s security through diplomatic relations with its Arab neighbors.
However, relations in the Middle East have shifted since 2021, when Trump left office.
Israel faces significant challenges, including the ongoing issue of Hamas, which continues to hold 59 hostages (58 of whom were taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks). Furthermore, the future of Gaza remains uncertain.
As negotiations continue between the U.S., Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and Hamas, the threat from other Iranian-backed groups persists, particularly the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Biden administration, with assistance from France, brokered a 60-day ceasefire in late November between Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon. The goal was to end hostilities by dismantling Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and withdrawing Israeli forces, but neither condition was met.
Despite the ceasefire’s expiration in late January, the security situation in southern Lebanon has remained relatively stable, although it remains fragile.
Working groups involving U.S., Israeli, and Lebanese officials are being formed to restart discussions on outstanding issues, including prisoner releases, border disputes, and the presence of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. The IDF presence is intended to protect Israelis living in northern Israel.
Talks between officials from Washington, Jerusalem, and Beirut are expected to begin in April and will focus on eliminating the threat Hezbollah poses to Israel and regional stability.
The U.S. official told Digital that any suggestion of establishing formal diplomatic ties, similar to those with the UAE and Bahrain, was “premature.”
Digital was unable to obtain comment from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
“`