Israel's PM orders envoy to visit Lebanon in initial effort to establish ties

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the deputy head of the National Security Council to send a representative to a meeting with members of the Lebanese government and economic sector, the Netanyahu Office said.

According to the statement, this marks “the first attempt to establish a basis for economic relations and cooperation between Israel and Lebanon,” Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Official Beirut is yet to comment on the report, and details about the specific economic initiatives under discussion remain unknown.

Since late 2023, after the war between Israel and Hezbollah, a ceasefire agreement was brokered and came into effect on November 27, 2024. The agreement calls for Israel’s forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah to relocate north of the Litani River. 

In March 2025, the two countries began talks about demarcating their land border, including a plan for Israel to withdraw from five outposts in southern Lebanon — a step aimed at stabilising the frontier region.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Reports suggest that Hezbollah has resisted full disarmament, prompting calls within Lebanon — and pressure from external actors — for direct negotiations between Beirut and Jerusalem. This evolving dynamic has increased the potential value of alternative dialogue avenues, including economic and civilian-level engagement.

By Khagan Isayev