Hezbollah Rejects Plan for Negotiations Between Lebanon and Israel

Hezbollah has spoken out after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his government is opening options for negotiations with Lebanon. Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Fayyad said that his group strongly opposes all negotiation plans to be conducted by Israel and Lebanon.

“We reaffirm our rejection of direct negotiations between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy,” said Fayyad, as quoted by AFP on Friday (10/4/2026).

Fayyad said that the Lebanese government does not need to open negotiations with Israel. Hezbollah also urged that Israeli forces be withdrawn from Lebanese territory.

“The need to uphold national principles, the most important of which is the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the cessation of hostilities, and the return of residents to their villages and cities,” said Fayyad.

He added that the Hezbollah group calls on the Lebanese government to implement the weapons disarmament agreement with Israel before proceeding to negotiations in the next stage.

Previously reported, the Israeli government has opened options for direct negotiations with Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had asked his cabinet to begin direct talks with Lebanese representatives.

“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” read a statement from Netanyahu’s office, as quoted by AFP on Friday (10/4/2026).

Netanyahu said that negotiations with Lebanon would focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah. He stated that his side is open to establishing peaceful relations with the Lebanese government.

“The negotiations will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and building peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon. Israel appreciates the Lebanese Prime Minister’s call today for the demilitarisation of Beirut,” added the press release.