Lebanon could potentially normalise ties with Israel if a deal is reached between Tel Aviv and Saudi Arabia, according to Israel’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Israel Katz. During a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tiani, Katz raised the possibility of Lebanon joining the circle of normalization if an agreement with Saudi Arabia is made. However, the details of how this could happen remain unclear.
Lebanon currently does not recognize Israel and is technically at war with its southern neighbor. Talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, mediated by the US, were put on hold during the Gaza war last year, as Saudi Arabia insisted on a Palestinian state before establishing ties with Israel.
Katz also emphasized the importance of UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, in any future deal, particularly in combatting Hezbollah. Discussions of a proposed ceasefire agreement would potentially give UNIFIL more powers in its areas of operation, a move that the Lebanese government fears would compromise its sovereignty.