An initial endeavour to lay the groundwork for a relationship and economic collaboration
JERUSALEM: Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct meetings in decades on Wednesday, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as part of a year-old truce monitoring mechanism in the battle with Hezbollah.
The two sides met in the UN peacekeeping force’s headquarters in Naqura, Lebanon, near the Israeli border, as part of a framework to monitor the ceasefire, which began in November 2024.
Until until, Israel and Lebanon, which have no official diplomatic relations, insisted on maintaining military officers in the position.
“Today’s conference in Lebanon is an initial attempt to lay the groundwork for a friendship and economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon. “This is a historic development,” Netanyahu spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said.