Israel rejects Lebanon's ceasefire request — demands talks 'under fire' only; deadlock on sequencing

Israel has rejected diplomatic overtures by Lebanon to halt its escalating offensive against Hezbollah, demanding that any negotiations take place 'under fire,' the Financial Times reported, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. The talks have not materialized because of fundamental disagreement over sequencing: Beirut is demanding a 'cessation of fire' before any meeting takes place, while the Israeli government insists it will only discuss the possibility of a cessation — not implement one first. The deadlock mirrors the pattern Israel maintained throughout the 2023-2024 Gaza conflict: no ceasefire before agreed conditions are met on the ground. Israel's conditions, as articulated by officials throughout Day 11, include: Hezbollah fully disarming and handing over weapons (per France's UNSC call); no return to pre-war Hezbollah military presence near the border; and an 'end result' rather than a timetable. President Herzog said the war 'needs an end result, not an exact timetable.' Israeli officials have told international partners to prepare for a Lebanon campaign that may outlast the Iran air campaign. The IDF is actively deepening ground operations in southern Lebanon, issuing evacuation warnings for Tyre and Sidon, and striking Dahiyeh in Beirut. With Israel rejecting a ceasefire and Hezbollah declaring it is not 'seeking a ceasefire' (from the Iran side), both fronts remain locked in active combat.