In first ever civilian talks, Israel and Lebanon confront Hezbollah's grip

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

58% : According to the statement, the meeting was held in a "positive atmosphere" and the sides agreed to formulate "ideas for potential economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon".
54% : The talks were mediated by Morgan Ortagus, President Donald Trump's envoy to the region, and included representatives of the IDF, the Lebanese Armed Forces and the UN.
52% : " Earlier statements described the meeting as a first attempt to establish the basis for economic cooperation and a future relationship between Israel and Lebanon.
51% : Many of these residents are Christians, whose return Israel views as a moderating factor compared with Shiite communities, many of whom have been Hezbollah members or supporters.
50% : This unexpected development followed a meeting in Naqoura between an Israeli team led by Dr. Uri Resnick, deputy head of foreign policy at Israel's National Security Council, and a Lebanese delegation led by Simon Karam, the former Lebanese ambassador to the US.
49% : Separately, Israel and Lebanon will engage in civilian talks.
47% : Israel and Lebanon have launched their first ever direct talks at the civilian level to explore potential economic and other cooperative initiatives that are not tied to the ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah.
47% : The statement released by the Prime Minister's office after the meeting said that under Netanyahu's direction and as part of the ongoing security dialogue among the US, Israel and Lebanon, Resnick met Ortagus and Lebanese civilian representatives in Naqoura.
46% : Even then, Beirut participated only after Israel agreed to relinquish nearly all of the disputed maritime area.
45% : The US administration has given Israel a green light to continue its military actions against Hezbollah, while at the same time pressing Jerusalem to support steps that bring the Lebanese government and President Joseph Aoun closer to Washington and promote confidence building measures.
42% : Israel clarified that "disarming Hezbollah is a fundamental requirement that stands independently of any progress on economic issues.
42% : For Israel, this represents a policy adjustment coordinated with and encouraged by Washington.
39% : Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah targets as the organization works to rebuild and rearm, while Lebanon's government continues pursuing its stated commitment to disarm the terrorist organization.
36% : According to an Israeli political official, the dialogue is expected to lay the foundation for broad negotiations between Israel and Lebanon on all outstanding issues, including formalizing the land border and resolving disputes created largely by Hezbollah.

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