A preparatory phone meeting between Lebanese, Israeli, and U.S. officials marked a key step toward launching direct negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv, sources told Al-Sharq. 

The call, held on Friday, brought together Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad; Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter; U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa; and Mike Needham, Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department.

Sources said the meeting was part of ongoing groundwork aimed at organizing direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, with discussions focused on setting the framework and coordination mechanisms for the upcoming negotiations.

The preparatory exchange comes ahead of a planned in-person meeting expected to take place next Tuesday, where both sides are set to engage more formally. Hamadeh Mouawad is leading the Lebanese side’s efforts in coordinating the diplomatic track.

According to the sources, the Lebanon file is now being handled directly by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signaling an elevated level of American involvement in the process. They stressed that this negotiation track is being managed separately from ongoing U.S.-Iran talks, including discussions linked to Islamabad.