Lebanon, Israel reported to hold talks soon, could include recognition of Jewish State

Lebanon is reportedly seeking negotiations with Israel to end the conflict between the Jewish State and Hezbollah, after the Shia terror group began attacking in support of Iran. 

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that Lebanon is ready to “engage in direct talks” with Israel, and even offered to host the talks in Paris. 

“The Lebanese government has signaled its willingness for direct discussions with Israel,” Macron posted to 𝕏. “France is ready to facilitate these discussions by hosting them in Paris.” 

Macron further stated that “All components of the country must be represented in these discussions.” 

It is not clear if Macron was referring to Hezbollah by mentioning “all components,” as the Shia terror group also maintains a political presence in the Lebanese parliament. Hezbollah was not directly involved in the previous negotiations, which led to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire in November 2024. 

Macon also stated that “Hezbollah must immediately halt its reckless advance,” while calling on Israel to “refrain from launching a large-scale offensive and cease its massive airstrikes.” 

A report in Axios claimed that the French proposal would see the country formally recognize Israel, citing “three sources familiar with the details.” 

However, the French government denied that it had drawn up a plan which involved the recognition of the Jewish State by Lebanon. 

That plan would see Lebanon promise to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Israel, and both Lebanon and Israel would promise to uphold the 2024 ceasefire deal. The Lebanese government would also reaffirm its commitment to disarming Hezbollah. 

Axios also claimed that as part of the deal, the IDF would withdraw from territory it captured during the current conflict with Hezbollah, which started March 2, 2026, with the Lebanese Army deploying in those territories. 

Once an agreement to formally end the state of war, which has existed between the two countries since 1948, was signed, Israel would withdraw all troops from southern Lebanon, including the five outposts it has held since Operation Northern Arrows in 2024. 

According to a Reuters report, the Lebanese government is forming a delegation for talks, but no date for negotiations has been set. Reuters cited a Lebanese official, who said that President Joseph Aoun has demanded a ceasefire as a condition for the negotiations. 

The Israeli government has said that any negotiations must take place under fire, as it seeks to dismantle Hezbollah positions south of the Litani River. The Israeli government is reportedly planning a major ground operation in the southern part of Lebanon to achieve this goal. 

As part of the November 2024 Lebanon ceasefire deal, the Lebanese government was supposed to ensure that Hezbollah had no presence south of the Litani River. 

Despite the Lebanese government’s claiming to have achieved this objective earlier this year, Hezbollah has launched attacks on Israel from south of the Litani during the current conflict, according to the IDF. 

A report in Haaretz on Saturday claimed that Israel and Lebanon would hold direct talks in the coming days, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter. Haaretz also reported that U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would participate in the talks, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trusted advisor, Ron Dermer. 

However, despite the reports, Hezbollah has been continuously firing on Israel since joining the conflict on 2 March. The terror group has fired around 100 rockets per day at Israel since joining the war, the IDF said. While most have been short-range rockets, targeting the north, several medium-range rockets have been fired towards central Israel. 

Most of the rockets have been directed at IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon or along the border, the military said. 

Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. 

On Saturday, the military struck a group of Hezbollah operatives attempting to bring rockets into a weapons storage facility in southern Lebanon. 

⭕️WATCH: Hezbollah terrorists carrying rockets into a weapon storage facility in southern Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/xkzsEoQNB5

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 14, 2026

The military also said it struck several launch sites in the Al-Qataraani area, as well as a headquarters of the 'Radwan Force' unit in Beirut. 

“The IDF will continue to act forcefully against the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which chose to join the campaign and operate under the auspices of the Iranian terror regime, and will act against anyone who threatens the citizens of the State of Israel and the residents of the North in particular,” it said in a statement.