Lebanon won't sit down with Israel unless fighting stops first

Lebanon is drawing a firm line in ongoing peace efforts: no ceasefire, no talks. A senior Lebanese official told the BBC that negotiations with Israel won't happen unless active fighting has already stopped. The stance adds a new hurdle to US-brokered discussions aimed at de-escalating violence that has rattled the region for months.

The talks, taking place indirectly in Pakistan, involve the US and Iran as key intermediaries. But Tehran is also setting its own terms. According to Reuters, Iran insists that a ceasefire in Lebanon must be implemented and that its frozen overseas assets be released before any meaningful progress can be made. These demands complicate an already delicate process, with Washington trying to balance pressure and diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Israel has made moves of its own. It has reportedly blocked France from participating in the current round of discussions, a decision criticized by some European allies. The move, highlighted by HotAir, suggests Israel wants to limit outside influence and maintain tighter control over its negotiating position, especially as it continues military actions against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

Despite the diplomatic activity, the reality on the ground remains volatile. CNBC reports that Tehran has accused Israel of violating the spirit, if not the letter, of any potential ceasefire, pointing to ongoing IDF strikes. Hezbollah has responded in kind, keeping the border region on edge and raising fears that a localized conflict could spiral.

The US is trying to keep the channel open, positioning itself as a neutral facilitator. But with each side demanding concessions before even sitting down, momentum is hard to build. Trust is in short supply, and past breakdowns loom large over the current effort.

What's at stake isn't just peace between Israel and Lebanon, but broader regional stability. A breakthrough could ease pressure on multiple fronts, including Iran's posture and the flow of weapons to militant groups. But failure could deepen hostilities and pull in other actors, making diplomacy even harder down the line.

For now, the sequence of steps-ceasefire first or talks first-remains the central sticking point. Lebanon wants safety before dialogue. Israel appears to want commitments before halting operations. Bridging that gap will require more than diplomacy; it may take a shift in how each side sees the risks of waiting.