Lebanon
Israel-Lebanon talks resume in Washington
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met Tuesday at the State Department for a fourth round of direct talks, even as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued unabated on the ground.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Monday that only countries “impartial” toward Israel should be allowed to contribute troops to a proposed international force for post-war Gaza—effectively ruling out Turkey.
Gideon Saar (L) and Peter Szijjarto © X
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Monday that only countries “impartial” toward Israel should be allowed to contribute troops to a proposed international force for post-war Gaza—effectively ruling out Turkey.
Speaking alongside Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Budapest, Saar stated: “Countries willing to send armed forces should at least not be hostile to Israel.” He accused Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of adopting a hostile stance, citing diplomatic and economic actions against Israel.
The idea of a multinational force, largely composed of Arab and Muslim troops, comes from a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan originally proposed by former President Donald Trump. Turkey has expressed interest in joining, but Israel strongly objects.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this position on Sunday, asserting Israel's right to veto any country’s participation in the force, particularly those like Turkey with ties to Hamas.
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met Tuesday at the State Department for a fourth round of direct talks, even as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued unabated on the ground.
Benjamin Netanyahu is under criticism at home after U.S. President Donald Trump declared Israel would halt plans to attack Iran ally Hezbollah in Beirut, highlighting pressure the Israeli leader faces ahead of an election polls show him losing.
Israel kept up strikes on southern Lebanon on Tuesday, pressing its campaign against Hezbollah a day after U.S. President Donald Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Beirut, averting further escalation in the three-month-old war.
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