Israel’s aim in the new talks with Lebanon is “to reach normalization,” a senior Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.
Jerusalem and US President Donald Trump’s administration announced yesterday that Israel, Lebanon, France and the US would create working groups to discuss the Israel-Lebanon border, the presence of IDF troops in southern Lebanon, and Lebanese detainees held by Israel.
The two countries do not recognize each other.
The next meeting will be between the political echelons of Israel and Lebanon, says the official. “This means official Israeli diplomacy within Lebanon.”
Yesterday’s meeting was military-to-military.
Israel released five Lebanese prisoners yesterday, says the official, so that Lebanon’s new President Joseph Aoun can show the public that he is able to bring results for the country without military conflict that destroys Lebanon.
“I am coming and trying the diplomatic way and I am bringing achievements,” says the Israeli official, paraphrasing what Israel hopes Aoun is presenting to the Lebanese public.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
