Netanyahu characterizes upcoming direct talks with Lebanon as ‘historic’

US President Donald Trump plans to host Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House to help advance negotiations.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the direct talks that will take place during a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon as an “historic” opportunity to reach a peace agreement.

In a prerecorded video statement, Netanyahu said the ceasefire was approved to create space for diplomacy, even as Israel maintains its military posture on the ground.

He stressed that Israeli troops will continue operating inside Lebanon within what he described as an expanded buffer area.

“We are remaining in Lebanon in an expanded security zone… 10 kilometers wide much stronger, more powerful, more continuous, and more solid than what we had before,” he says, adding that the deployment is designed to “block the threat of infiltration” and prevent anti-tank fire on northern communities.

Netanyahu said Hezbollah had initially demanded terms Israel would not accept, including “that Israel withdraw from all Lebanese territory up to the international border” and “a ceasefire in the format of ‘quiet for quiet.’” He said those conditions were rejected, but a truce was still reached.

He reiterated that any longer-term arrangement would require “the disarmament of Hezbollah” and “a sustainable peace – peace through strength.”

The Israeli leader said recent diplomatic movement followed outreach from Lebanon seeking direct engagement. “I answered that call,” Netanyahu says, describing the contact as the first of its kind in more than 40 years.

He added that US President Donald Trump plans to host him and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House to help advance negotiations.

Netanyahu also pointed to Israeli military actions as shaping current conditions, saying Israel “changed the balance of power in Lebanon.”

He referenced the 2024 pager attack against hundreds of Hezbollah operatives, damage to the group’s rocket and missile capabilities, and the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

He said Hezbollah still retains some weapons. “there are still rockets that they have left. We will also need to address that as part of progress toward a security agreement and a lasting peace agreement.”

Netanyahu said he also spoke with Trump over the past two days, adding the US president is “strongly determined to continue both the naval blockade [on Iran] and efforts to dismantle what remains of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.”