Israel Seeks "Normalization of Relations" with Lebanon but Must Address the Hezbollah Issue

Xinhua News Agency, Jerusalem, April 14 (Reporters Pang Xinyi and Chen Junqing) Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on the 14th that Israel seeks to achieve "peace and normalization of relations" with Lebanon, and the "issue" between the two countries lies with Hezbollah.

During a joint press conference with visiting Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Cohen stated that there are no "significant differences" between Israel and Lebanon. "We hope to achieve peace and normalization of relations with Lebanon."

Cohen indicated that Hezbollah "attacked Israel against the will of the Lebanese government," which poses a problem for Lebanon's sovereignty and Israel's security, and mentioned that Israel will discuss the possibility of "cooperation" with Lebanon on issues such as disarming Hezbollah.

Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to hold negotiations on the 14th in Washington, D.C. According to U.S. media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate in the direct talks between the two sides.

Hezbollah leader Naeem Qassem stated on the 13th that since the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel in November 2024, Israel has not implemented any terms of the agreement, with over ten thousand violations of the ceasefire.