The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reports that a new Qatari initiative is underway for indirect Israel-Hezbollah talks, aiming at a long-term ceasefire or 'hudna.' According to the report, U.S. Vice President JD Vance informed Lebanese President Aoun that the Lebanon track has become integral to broader regional talks with Iran, and a new framework would include Hezbollah, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan alongside Israel, the U.S., and Lebanon. Separately, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the two Shia parties reject proposed 'pilot zones' in the Washington framework.
The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported Tuesday morning that Qatar has floated a new initiative for indirect talks between Israel and Hezbollah, aiming at a long-term 'hudna' — a ceasefire arrangement. The report, which carries the signature of the outlet's known proximity to Hezbollah, frames the initiative as part of a broader regional realignment: U.S. Vice President JD Vance reportedly informed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that the Lebanon track is now a central piece of U.S.-Iran negotiations, and that a new mechanism would include, alongside Israel, the U.S., and Lebanon, also Hezbollah, Iran, Qatar, and Pakistan. The framework may expand into a 'Doha 2' conference to reshape Lebanon's political system, according to the report.
Separately, in a report carried by Israeli news aggregator Yediot News, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri — a key Hezbollah ally — told President Aoun that the two Shia parties (Hezbollah and Amal) reject the 'pilot zones' (test areas for IDF withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment) proposed under the Washington declaration. A senior U.S. State Department official told Al Jazeera that talks between Lebanon and Israel will continue to advance peace, with the goal of ending the cycle of violence 'once and for all.'
As The Zioneer has reported, the diplomatic track has intensified over recent weeks, with multiple rounds of U.S.-mediated talks in Washington and regional capitals. The reports come amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and as the U.S. seeks to leverage progress on Lebanon to facilitate broader talks with Iran. The Qatari initiative remains unconfirmed by official Israeli or U.S. sources, and its substance — especially the reported inclusion of Hezbollah and Iran in a formal framework — would mark a significant shift from previous negotiating formats that excluded the group from direct participation.
4 developments
- StrongGulf diplomat: Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire confirmed after Qatar, US, Iran mediation
- DevelopingFormer intelligence figure recalls Pakistani officials as liars, Qatar mediating with Iran
- DevelopingReport: US struggles to convince Israel to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon
- StrongReport: Doha talks make 'significant progress' toward regional deal including Lebanon
Source and signal
- Internal intake