Israel has today agreed to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible, according to a post shared by Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu’s social media platform X account.
The negotiations have been agreed upon because of what the post described as ‘Lebanon’s repeated requests’ to open direct negotiations with Israel.
It adds that Netanyahu had instructed at the government meeting yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2026
"In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed at the Government meeting yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.
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Just prior to this, it was revealed in international media reports that the President of the United States (US), Donald Trump, had asked Israel to scale back its strikes in Lebanon to support the negotiations with Iran.
These US-Iran talks are set to be held in Pakistan’s federal capital, Islamabad, on April 10, tomorrow. This further validates Pakistan’s stance on peace.
According to reports by international news outlet NBC News, Trump asked Netanyahu to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to support Iran negotiations.
Netanyahu and other officials claimed the largest strike against Hezbollah was aimed at members of the armed group. However, the attacks appeared to be as much a piece of violent spectacle to benefit Netanyahu as militarily useful, The Guardian reports.
Israeli forces carried out a devastating bombardment across Lebanon that killed hundreds of people. This happened just hours after a two-week ceasefire was announced in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said at least 203 people were killed. 1,000 others were wounded in air strikes that targeted areas in Beirut. And in the Bekaa Valley, Mount Lebanon, Sidon, and several villages in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. Earlier, the country’s Civil Defence put the death toll at over 250, Al Jazeera reports.
Reacting to this, Netanyahu said that Lebanon was not part of the US-Iran ceasefire. US President Donald Trump said Lebanon was “separate” and not part of the agreement.
However, with the latest development, the Islamabad peace talks are a step closer to a positive expected outcome.
Ceasefire violation
Multiple reports of ceasefire violations emerged, which were criticised by the PM of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The PM took to X, formerly Twitter, to urge restraint. He said that the violations undermine the spirit of the peace process.
The PM added, “I earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks. As agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict.”
‘Were on verge of responding to ceasefire violations’
Before this, in another proof of Pakistan’s sincerity, credibility and centrality to the peace process, Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister revealed today. That they were “on the verge” of responding to the ceasefire violation last night. But Pakistan intervened.
The war started on February 28 when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. These strikes killed Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and hit Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, reports say.
Pakistan has brokered a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, after a 40-day-long war.
