What message will Lebanon’s leaders deliver to Ortagus?

As U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus prepares for her visit to Beirut, efforts to address unresolved disputes between Lebanon and Israel are set against the backdrop of renewed violence. On Friday, Israel launched a targeted strike on the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon, killing a senior Hamas figure. The airstrike comes despite a ceasefire deal that had been in place since late November, raising concerns over the fragile state of the truce.

Lebanon’s Demands and U.S. Mediation Goals

Lebanese officials are expected to emphasize three key demands during their discussions with Ortagus: full enforcement of the ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from five contested sites in southern Lebanon, and an end to ongoing Israeli military actions and violations.

In addition to Lebanon’s demands, Washington is aiming to facilitate progress on broader issues, including the resolution of border disputes along the Blue Line, and the return of Lebanese prisoners reportedly taken during the conflict. The U.S. hopes to bring both countries to the table for a diplomatic settlement of these long-standing disagreements.

However, Beirut maintains a firm stance against direct talks with Israel. Lebanese leaders have reiterated that normalization of ties is off the table and any negotiation, particularly concerning land demarcation, should proceed through technical and military channels, similar to the indirect format used during the 2022 U.S.-mediated maritime border agreement. Both parties then signed the deal separately without face-to-face negotiations.