Israel does not have significant disagreements with Lebanon, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Foreign Minister made these remarks while addressing the current geopolitical tensions in the region. Saar noted that while a few minor border disputes exist between the two nations, they are entirely resolvable through diplomatic means.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the Hezbollah movement remains the sole barrier to peace and the normalization of relations between the two neighbors. "After more than 40 years, we have made a historic decision to initiate direct negotiations with Lebanon. Unfortunately, Lebanon is a failed state—a state under Iranian occupation through Hezbollah. However, this leads to one conclusion: Hezbollah is the common enemy of both Israel and Lebanon. Just as it threatens Israel's security, this movement undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and threatens its future," Saar stated.
Saar called on the Lebanese government to work together against the "terrorist state" that Hezbollah has established on Lebanese soil. He urged Lebanese authorities to show courage in the face of Iranian influence, noting that such cooperation is essential for Lebanon to regain its independence and secure a peaceful future for both nations.
The relationship between Israel and Lebanon has been defined by decades of conflict, primarily involving non-state actors like Hezbollah, which maintains a powerful military and political presence in southern Lebanon. Since late 2023, cross-border hostilities have intensified, drawing international concern over the potential for a wider regional escalation. Israel maintains that its operations are targeted at neutralizing threats to its northern border, while calling for the implementation of international resolutions to disarm militia groups in the region.
