Netanyahu’s Surprise Move: Open to Direct Talks with Beirut

In a surprise move late Thursday, April 9, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, following a meeting of the country’s security cabinet, that he had instructed his government to initiate direct negotiations with Lebanon without delay. He also took the opportunity to publicly welcome a decision by his Lebanese counterpart, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, whose cabinet, meeting Thursday at Baabda Palace, approved a resolution mandating the Lebanese army and security forces to prohibit any illegal armed presence in the Beirut governorate. The move effectively seeks to enforce the principle of the state’s monopoly over arms.

This surprise decision by Mr. Netanyahu came in the wake of several significant developments over the past twenty-four hours. It was announced a day after a phone call on Wednesday evening between President Donald Trump and the Israeli Prime minister. Reports emerging from Tel Aviv on Thursday afternoon indicated that the White House had urged Mr. Netanyahu to “somewhat reduce” the intensity and scope of strikes in Lebanon. It is highly likely, however, that the prospect of direct negotiations with Lebanon was central to the conversation.

Another notable development on April 9 came in remarks delivered at the opening of a cabinet meeting by President Joseph Aoun, who stressed that “only Lebanon can negotiate on behalf of Lebanon, and it is inconceivable that any third party should seek to do so.” Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry had already taken a similar stance several days earlier, drawing sharp criticism from circles close to Hezbollah.

In any case, during Thursday’s cabinet meeting, the Prime minister sought approval for a decision tasking the army and security forces with concretely enforcing, in the Beirut governorate, the principle of the state’s exclusive monopoly on arms. Ministers from the Shiite Hezbollah-Amal duo strongly opposed Mr. Salam’s request, and heated exchanges were reported between the two sides. Ultimately, however, the Prime minister’s position prevailed, backed by ministers from the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party and other sovereignty-aligned figures. At the close of the cabinet session, Mr. Salam personally and solemnly announced the decision to demilitarize the Beirut governorate, specifying that the resolution was in line with the provisions of the Taif Agreement and with previous decisions already taken by his government in this regard.

It is worth recalling in this context that President Joseph Aoun has repeatedly called, over the past few weeks, for direct negotiations with Israel – much to the chagrin of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement. The initiative by Lebanon’s head of state had previously been rejected by the Israeli Prime minister. However, the unfolding developments in the Iran war, and likely Wednesday’s intensive raids targeting Hezbollah officials and positions in the heart of Beirut, as well as in Saida, the Bekaa, and Hermel – around a hundred strikes in ten minutes – appear to have had the indirect effect of prompting Mr. Netanyahu to give the green light for direct talks with Lebanon.

At the State Department, with Washington as Guarantor

In practice, information available Thursday evening indicated that direct Israeli-Lebanese talks are set to take place in the coming days – possibly as soon as next week – at the State Department, with Washington acting as guarantor for the smooth conduct of the negotiations. The Israeli delegation will be led by Israel’s ambassador to Washington. As for the Lebanese delegation, some sources said Thursday evening that it would be headed by former ambassador Simon Karam, while others reported that Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadé Moawad would lead the negotiating team.

Regarding the agenda for the talks, Mr. Netanyahu indicated that it would focus on “the disarmament of Hezbollah and peace between Lebanon and Israel.” For now, Beirut is demanding that at least a provisional ceasefire serve as a prelude to these negotiations – something the Israelis do not appear willing to accept.

The big unknown, in light of this surprise move, is the reaction of the Iranian camp – specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guards and their armed wing in Lebanon.

It is worth noting that, prior to the announcement of the upcoming direct talks with Israel, the Israeli air force continued its strikes Thursday against several villages in southern Lebanon, with the main objective of the ongoing battle seemingly being control of the strategically important town of Bint Jbeil.