USA: We Brought Israel and Lebanon to the Negotiation Table

Morgan Ortagus, Deputy Special Representative of the U.S. President for Middle East Peace, announced on Tuesday, March 12, that the United States has brought Lebanon and Israel to the negotiation table with the aim of diplomatically resolving several contentious issues between the two countries. Ms. Ortagus identified these issues as the release of Lebanese prisoners, remaining disputed matters along the 'Blue Line', and five areas where Israeli forces are still stationed. She added that after a meeting held in Naqoura, five Lebanese prisoners were released and emphasized that both parties remain committed to maintaining the ceasefire agreement and will fully implement it. Simultaneously, Israeli media also confirmed the release of these five Lebanese prisoners, citing the Prime Minister's office. In this context, the Lebanese presidency also confirmed that on Tuesday, four prisoners detained by Israel during the war with Hezbollah were received, and the fifth prisoner will be released the following day. According to published reports, the parties have agreed to establish three joint working groups to focus on various issues. Hezbollah Lebanon unilaterally began its rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel a day after Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In response, Israel conducted severe attacks against this group's positions in Lebanon and Syria, killing hundreds of members of this major proxy arm of the Islamic Republic in the region, including many senior leaders and military commanders such as Hassan Nasrallah, Foad Shukr, Ibrahim Aqil, and Hashem Safi al-Din. Several countries, including the USA, Israel, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Australia, have recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. After the deaths of Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, in Israeli attacks, both sides reached a ceasefire agreement in early November 2023 as a result of extensive efforts by the United States and several other countries. However, since the implementation of this agreement, Israel has conducted attacks against their positions in southern Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire in response to the group's movements. Israel targeted a Hezbollah member in southern Lebanon, and the Israeli army attacked Hezbollah's military fortifications in southern Lebanon. The continuation of clashes in southern Lebanon has led to a UN warning about explosive remnants. Eyal Zamir took command of the Israeli army, and a Hezbollah commander was killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon. The defense ministers of the USA and Israel stated that the Iranian government poses a threat to regional security. The President of Lebanon is seeking the revival of a $3 billion aid package from Saudi Arabia.