Lebanon is entering a critical week as it prepares for its first round of direct talks with Israel, scheduled for Tuesday in Washington, amid heightened political and security tensions at home.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had agreed to the negotiations on two key conditions: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the conclusion of a lasting peace agreement “that will endure for generations.”

According to Lebanon’s Nidaa Al-Watan newspaper, a preliminary trilateral call involving U.S., Lebanese, and Israeli officials was held on Friday, during which Beirut laid out several demands. Chief among them was its insistence on securing a ceasefire before the launch of any direct negotiations. Lebanese officials are now awaiting Israel’s response at Tuesday’s meeting, which is expected to determine whether the talks can move forward.

Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter confirmed that Israel had agreed to attend the follow-up meeting in Washington to advance discussions on a potential peace agreement. However, he said Israel would not engage in talks over a ceasefire with Hezbollah, which he described as the primary obstacle to peace and accused of continuing attacks against Israel.

At the domestic level, tensions have been running high ahead of the anticipated talks. Attempts by Hezbollah supporters to mobilize street protests aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and potentially destabilizing his government fell short, according to political sources.

Nidaa Al-Watan reported that calls by Hezbollah and the Amal Movement to take to the streets were intended to force the government to abandon negotiations and keep Lebanon aligned with Iran’s regional agenda. However, those efforts were countered by strong Arab pressure on Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, particularly from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, warning that any attempt to exploit street unrest to undermine the government would be unacceptable.

European governments also weighed in, cautioning that Lebanon’s fragile situation cannot withstand further instability and signaling they would not remain passive if unrest escalated.

Following consultations with Hezbollah leadership, Berri moved to defuse tensions, helping halt a planned protest near the Grand Serail. A joint statement was issued by Amal Movement and Hezbollah calling for restraint during this sensitive period, while the Amal Movement had already urged its supporters not to participate.

President Joseph Aoun also played a role in containing the situation, alongside a preemptive statement from the Lebanese Army warning it would act firmly against any activities threatening civil peace under the guise of free expression.

As a result, mobilization efforts lost momentum, with only a few hundred demonstrators gathering. Some attempted to raise the flag of the Future Movement to suggest its involvement, but the party quickly denied any participation and reiterated its support for the government.