Israel and Lebanon are expected to open diplomatic talks, with an initial introductory call set to take place between Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and the incoming Lebanese ambassador. The conversation is a preliminary one ahead of the start of official negotiations early next week.
According to assessments, the talks will focus on a return to the November 2024 arrangement as it stood before the war, but without an Israeli withdrawal from territory captured during the fighting.
At the same time, Israel is expected to continue its military activity. Strikes south of the Litani River are expected to continue, and if preparations for launches are detected north of the river as well, a strike will be carried out there too. The main difference, according to sources familiar with the details, is that Hezbollah is expected to respond under the "November 2024 rules."
Another option under consideration is linking the announcement on the opening of the negotiations to a ceasefire declaration, which would also be based on that same arrangement.
Diplomatic sources say an official US announcement could come as early as Saturday, declaring that the talks will begin Monday, alongside the start of a ceasefire in line with the November 2024 understandings.
