A senior American envoy has called on Lebanon to initiate direct peace negotiations with Israel amid escalating Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions, nearly a year after the ceasefire.
Despite the November 2024 truce, Israel maintains a presence in five southern Lebanese zones and continues to conduct air raids.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of answering peace overtures with increased aggression.
US envoy Tom Barrack said direct engagement could be the best path to easing tensions, acknowledging that Lebanese officials are “rightly cautious.”
Hezbollah remains financially resilient and well-armed despite battlefield losses. Barrack emphasized that the US would press Israel “to behave reasonably” should Lebanon agree to talks.
Washington hopes Beirut will emulate Syria’s ongoing pursuit of a security pact with Israel.
