Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 9, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Netanyahu: Israel to hold direct peace talks with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement, April 8, 2026. (GPO screenshot)
Israel will begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated appeals to open direct negotiations with Israel,” says Netanyahu, “I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.”
The talks “will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.”
Netanyahu says that Israel “appreciates the call made today by Lebanon’s prime minister to demilitarize Beirut.”
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