Netanyahu orders direct talks with Lebanon. US media reported that the first round of talks will be held in the US next week.

The Prime Minister's Office of Israel issued a statement on the 9th saying that Prime Minister Netanyahu had instructed the government the day before to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible. According to American media reports, the first round of negotiations will take place in the US next week. The statement from the Prime Minister's Office stated that the focus of the negotiations is to disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon and "establish peace relations between Israel and Lebanon." The statement said that this step was taken against the background of "multiple requests from Lebanon to engage in direct negotiations with Israel." Netanyahu said that Lebanese Prime Minister Salam called him on the 9th seeking "the de-militarization of Beirut." Israel and Lebanon do not have diplomatic relations. According to the American news website Axios, on the 9th, a senior Israeli official stated that the first direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will take place next week at the US State Department in Washington, D.C. Israel will be represented by its ambassador to the US, Yehiel Leter, while Lebanon will be represented by its ambassador to the US, Nada Hamad Muawad. The US delegation will be led by the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Sison.