Khaberni - Reuters reported that Israel has rejected an offer from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, described by sources as historic, for direct talks with Lebanon, considering it "too late and insufficient."
The agency reported citing informed sources that this week the Lebanese President expressed his readiness for the state to begin direct negotiations with Israel to end the current escalation. The sources indicated that Aoun started forming a negotiating delegation, even mentioning in private meetings his readiness to discuss steps that might lead to the normalization of relations, asserting that “everything is on the table.”
Two sources said that the Lebanese offer was not met with much interest by Israeli or American officials, amid their skepticism about Beirut's ability to provide concrete guarantees at the negotiation table.
In this context, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that his country is ready for dialogue with the Lebanese government regarding the normalization of relations, but he noted that "the current problem is that dialogue with Beirut does not stop the firing from Lebanese territory."
Additionally, the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, affirmed that Israel cannot negotiate while missiles are falling on its northern borders. On the other hand, American sources mentioned that Washington continued communication with Lebanese officials but does not comment on private diplomatic communications, indicating that their current focus is on the war with Iran.
