The US State Department held a tripartite meeting on April 14, 2026, with the participation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Counselor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yehiel Laiter, and Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamada Moawad. This meeting constituted the first high-level communication between the governments of Israel and Lebanon since 1993. The participants held fruitful discussions about the necessary steps to launch direct negotiations between the two countries. The United States congratulated the two countries on this historic achievement, expressing its support for continuing the talks, as well as for the Lebanese government’s plans to restore the arms monopoly and end excessive Iranian influence. She also expressed her hope that these talks would go beyond the scope of the 2024 agreement and lead to a comprehensive peace agreement. It affirmed its support for Israel's right to defend itself in the face of continued attacks from Hezbollah. She stressed that any agreement to stop hostilities must be concluded between the two governments, under the auspices of the United States, and not through any separate path. She also pointed out that these negotiations may open the way for significant reconstruction aid and economic recovery for Lebanon, and expand investment opportunities for both countries. For its part, the State of Israel expressed its support for the disarmament of all non-state armed groups and the dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon, affirming its commitment to working with the Lebanese government to achieve this goal in a way that guarantees the security of the peoples of both countries. It also affirmed its readiness to engage in direct negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues and reach a lasting peace that enhances security, stability and prosperity in the region. In turn, the Lebanese state stressed the urgent need to fully implement the Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities issued in November 2024, affirming the principles of territorial integrity and full sovereignty of the state, and calling for a ceasefire and taking concrete measures to address the severe humanitarian crisis from which the country is still suffering as a result of the ongoing conflict. All parties agreed to launch direct negotiations at a time and place agreed upon between them.