Netanyahu announces negotiations with Lebanon after U.S. pressure

Senior U.S. officials said Witkoff asked Netanyahu to calm down the strikes in Lebanon and open negotiations.Iran claims Lebanon was part of the ceasefire deal, that the U.S. and Israel are now in violation, and that it might abandon peace talks or keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as a result.The U.S. and Israel deny that the ceasefire included Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.Israel massively escalated that offensive in the 24 hours after the ceasefire was agreed. Israeli strikes on Wednesday killed at least 254 people, according to Lebanese Civil Defense.The big picture: The Lebanese government, supported by France, has been proposing holding direct peace talks with Israel for several weeks. The initiative was meant to help de-escalate the war in Lebanon, prevent a prolonged Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, increase international pressure to disarm Hezbollah and open the door to a historic peace deal.The French government has drafted a proposal to end the war in Lebanon that would require the Lebanese government to take the unprecedented step of recognizing Israel. The French gave the proposal to both Israel and the Trump administration. The Israelis rejected the proposal and refused to negotiate. Israeli officials said Netanyahu and his cabinet preferred escalating their war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. On Wednesday after pressure from the White House — which is concerned the crisis in Lebanon will lead to the collapse of the ceasefire with Iran — Netanyahu changed course. What he is saying: In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible, Netanyahu said in a statement. He added that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.Israel appreciates the Lebanese prime minister's call today to demilitarize Beirut, Netanyahu said. Yes, but: An Israeli official told Axios: No ceasefire in Lebanon. The negotiations with the Lebanese government will begin in the coming days.Zoom in: A senior Israeli official says the direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will begin next week.The first meeting will take place at the State Department in Washington. The U.S. side will be led by Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. Israel will be represented by its Ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter. The Lebanese side will be represented by its Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh-Moawad.