In a covert virtual meeting, U.S. and Israeli officials discussed strategies to ease tensions with Lebanon and prevent a full-scale war with Hezbollah. Led by White House officials Jake Sullivan, Amos Hochstein, and Brett McGurk, the U.S. team coordinated with Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer to explore diplomatic solutions. The focus was on a potential Gaza ceasefire leading to de-escalation in Lebanon and the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants from the border region.
Key discussions included verifying Hezbollah’s withdrawal and U.S. support for potential Israeli military action if needed. The meeting highlighted the importance of a Gaza ceasefire for Israel to refocus on normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. The Israeli demand for Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force to retreat at least 10 kilometers from the border was a central point of negotiation, emphasizing the need for a secure and verifiable agreement.