US ambassador endorses Lebanon's proposal for direct talks with Israel — potential ceasefire track

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa on Day 21 expressed US support for Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's proposal to launch direct negotiations with Israel, after meeting with Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai in Beirut. Issa said: "We appreciate the importance of the issue for the president and the importance of his responsibility in finally deciding that he must meet with the Israelis, because matters are not resolved without talking." However, Issa added that he believed Israel "has decided not to stop" striking Lebanon yet, and said: "Each party has their point of view of how meetings start. That means Lebanon has to decide whether it can meet the Israelis in this case." Lebanese President Aoun first proposed direct talks with Israel on March 9 (Day 9 of the war). Israel has since stated no talks are planned. Hezbollah was pulled into the war on March 2, when it began firing rockets at Israel to avenge the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. The Lebanese armed forces have not engaged Israeli forces directly. The US endorsement of Lebanon's direct talks proposal represents a distinct diplomatic track from France's ceasefire push (Barrot visited Beirut and Jerusalem on Days 20-21 without progress). It suggests Washington is open to Lebanon-Israel direct contacts as a path toward reducing the northern front — potentially without requiring a full Iran ceasefire first. However, Israel's stated refusal to pause strikes makes near-term talks unlikely.