Informed Sources: Direct Israeli-Lebanese Negotiations Expected Soon

SadaNews - Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are expected to meet for a round of direct negotiations in the coming days, according to two sources familiar with the details. One of them stated that former Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, who was entrusted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to manage the Lebanese file during the war, will meet with Lebanese representatives to carry out direct negotiations.

One of the sources pointed out that the United States will also participate in these negotiations, with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, leading them, according to what was reported by the "Haaretz" newspaper today, Saturday.

Another source said that negotiations between Israel and Lebanon would be held either in Cyprus or France, with the former likely being chosen. It is worth noting that French President Emmanuel Macron had published a message in Hebrew, stating that he was ready to assist in holding and hosting these negotiations in Paris.

The Cypriot presidency responded to a question by stating, "If specific developments arise, we will announce them publicly and transparently; so far, there is nothing to comment on."

Estimates suggest that the two sides will discuss during the negotiations a diplomatic solution that stops the fighting and meets the Israeli demand for the disarmament of Hezbollah. However, Israel does not rule out conducting a large ground operation to control territories in Lebanon up to the Litani River, according to one of the sources. The second source estimated that the likelihood of such an operation being carried out is very high.

Both sources confirmed that the U.S. administration had requested Israel not to target civilian infrastructure. However, one of the sources estimated that this request might have been downgraded, among other reasons, in light of the bombardment of the Zarariyah Bridge over the Litani River. It was added that the red lines drawn by the United States for Israel are limited to not targeting Beirut's international airport and the city's seaport. If Israel indeed carries out a large ground operation, it is expected that the chances of success for the diplomatic path will diminish.

Israeli Channel 12 reported on Friday evening that Netanyahu had tasked Dermer with following up on the Lebanese file during the ongoing war since March 2, with the responsibility for managing any potential negotiations with the U.S. administration and the Lebanese government in the near weeks.

Dermer is considered one of Netanyahu's closest allies, and he participated in managing sensitive files related to coordination with Washington, particularly concerning the war on Gaza, relations with the Trump administration, and Iranian, Lebanese, and Syrian files.

Dermer was one of the architects of the normalization agreements known as the "Abraham Accords." He previously served as Netanyahu's chief political advisor before taking on the position of Minister of Strategic Affairs in the current government formed at the end of 2022.