US, Lebanon request Israel pause attacks against Hezbollah prior to talks - report

An Israeli artillery unit fires towards Lebanon, amid escalation between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel, March 17, 2026.

(photo credit: AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS)

The United States and Lebanon have requested that Israel temporarily cease attacks against Hezbollah before peace talks between Israel and Lebanon begin, according to an Axios report on Friday.

Citing two sources with knowledge of the issue, Axios reported that Lebanon had made the request through US mediators, describing a pause in fighting as a potential Israeli "gesture" to Lebanon.

The report said the request was still under review by Netanyahu, with Lebanon earlier on Friday saying that the US would be mediating the talks.

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