Israel-Lebanon Talks Resume in Washington as IDF Targets...

In a recent i24NEWS English interview, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter stated that the goal of the Israel-Lebanon talks remains peace as if there is no Hezbollah, while fighting Hezbollah as if there is no peace. The fifth round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon opened this week in Washington under US mediation, even as IDF units from the 91st Division continue operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.

Negotiations Reach Critical Stage in Washington

Ambassador Yechiel Leiter told i24NEWS that the current round has reached a critical stage and now sits in a train wreck over the issue of Hezbollah disarmament. He insisted that Israel's position holds that peace and security must coexist, with the premise that Iran will not influence Lebanese affairs. Leiter warned that Hezbollah may have received a boost during the talks, raising the danger that the group could strengthen its position before any agreement is reached.

The talks involve Israeli and Lebanese delegations meeting in Washington, with the United States serving as mediator. This round follows four previous sessions and focuses on border security arrangements along the Israel-Lebanon frontier, including areas near the Galilee settlements and the security zone inside southern Lebanon.

Lebanese President Aoun Sets Firm Conditions

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared that his government will accept nothing less than the end of the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon. Aoun's statement came as the Washington talks resumed, highlighting the gap between Beirut's demands and Israel's insistence on maintaining control over strategic points such as Beaufort.

Defense Minister Israel Katz clarified that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the Beaufort, describing the site as an integral part of the security zone in Lebanon and essential for the defense of the Galilee settlements. Katz's position ties directly to ongoing threats against communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah rocket and drone fire.

IDF Uncovers Massive Hezbollah Tunnel in Majdal Zoun

Soldiers from the 91st Division's 551st Brigade uncovered a 200-meter-long Hezbollah tunnel complex in Majdal Zoun, located about 10 kilometers inside southern Lebanon. The tunnel featured four launch shafts aimed at Israel, 12 rooms for operations, and contained hundreds of weapons including anti-tank missiles, UAVs, and explosive devices. Israel Hayom reported that 50 Iranian-made drones were found inside, describing the site as Hezbollah's secret underground airport.

The tunnel was disguised beneath civilian homes, a school, and a mosque, following Hezbollah's established pattern of embedding military infrastructure within civilian sites. Troops dismantled over 50 terrorist sites in the area, including observation posts and weapons depots, while eliminating over 20 Hezbollah operatives, more than 10 of whom belonged to the elite Radwan Force.

Ceasefire Violations and Military Readiness

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited soldiers in southern Lebanon and stated that the ceasefire remains shaky, requiring the military to stay ready to fight at any moment. Hezbollah has continued launching projectiles at Israeli troops, with more than 50 projectiles fired in a single night in violation of the existing ceasefire terms.

These incidents affect daily security calculations for residents of the Galilee and northern border communities, where the IDF maintains heightened alert status. Zamir's assessment underscores the need for sustained operations to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding attack capabilities near the border.

Iran's Influence and the US-Iran Memorandum

Hezbollah has stated that it received a promise from Iran that no final deal with the United States will be signed until Israel withdraws from Lebanon. This position aligns with Iran's broader regional strategy and directly impacts the Washington negotiations. The US-Iran MoU was signed in Switzerland on June 19, after which Israel formally requested access to the document and was denied.

Ambassador Leiter emphasized that the premise of the current talks assumes Iran will not shape Lebanese affairs, yet the MoU and Hezbollah's statements suggest continued Iranian leverage over the Lebanese side. This dynamic carries implications for Israeli security planning and for diplomatic efforts involving the Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

Security Implications for Israel and the Region

The combination of stalled disarmament talks and active IDF operations in Majdal Zoun and around Beaufort shapes Israel's security posture along the northern border. Maintaining the security zone protects Galilee settlements from direct threats posed by Hezbollah's Radwan Force and its tunnel networks.

Regional dynamics now link the Washington negotiations to broader questions of Iranian influence in Lebanon, the role of the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL, and the stability of the post-ceasefire environment. Israeli officials continue to coordinate responses through the Defense Ministry and IDF command structures to address both immediate violations and longer-term border arrangements.