Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday (April 9), that he has given an instruction for Israel to begin direct peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.

"Following repeated appeals from the Lebanese government to enter into peace negotiations with us, last night I instructed the cabinet to open direct negotiations with Lebanon" Netanyahu said in a statement.

He added that any peace agreement with Lebanon would be 'historic'.

There was no immediate response from the Lebanese government to Netanyahu's remarks.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

UNKNOWN LOCATION (APRIL 9, 2026) (GPO - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:

"I want to tell you there is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with force, and we will not stop until we restore your security."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:

"Following repeated appeals from the Lebanese government to enter into peace negotiations with us, last night I instructed the cabinet to open direct negotiations with Lebanon in order to achieve two goals: One, the disarmament of Hezbollah. Two, a historic, sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon."