Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic opportunity” but making clear that no breakthrough agreement would happen right away.

In a statement after the two-hour session ended, the State Department praised the two sides for what it called “productive discussions on steps toward launching direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.” Hezbollah opposed the direct talks and was not represented, appearing to step up its fire on northern Israel as the discussions began.

“The United States affirmed that any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track,” the State Department said.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter hailed what he called a convergence of opinion about removing Hezbollah’s influence from Lebanon, saying he was encouraged by a “wonderful exchange."

“The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah," he said. "Iran has been weakened. Hezbollah is dramatically weakened. This is an opportunity.”

Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad “reaffirmed the urgent need” for an end to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, “underscoring the principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty.” She also called for a ceasefire, the return of displaced people to their homes, and “concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis” resulting from the conflict.

Despite Hezbollah’s outright rejection, the talks are a major step for two countries with no diplomatic relations that have been officially at war since Israel’s inception in 1948. The latest round of fighting was sparked by Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel on March 2, days after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Hezbollah’s key ally and patron.

As the talks began, Rubio said the Trump administration was “very happy” to facilitate but noted that “we understand we’re working against decades of history and complexities” that will not be quickly resolved.

“But we can begin to move forward with a framework where something can happen — something very positive, something very permanent — so that the people of Lebanon can have the kind of future they deserve, and so that the people of Israel can live without fear,” Rubio said.

The Lebanese government hopes the talks will help pave the way to an end to the war. While Iran has set ending the wars in Lebanon and the region as a condition for talks with the U.S., Lebanon insists on representing itself.

Hezbollah and other critics say Lebanon’s government lacks leverage and that it should back Iran’s position. Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking member of the militant group’s political council, told The Associated Press that the group will not abide by any agreements made during the talks.

On the day of the discussions, incoming fire triggered nonstop drone and rocket alert sirens in Israeli communities near the Lebanese border. Hezbollah, so far on Tuesday, has claimed 24 attacks on northern Israel and on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.

At least 2,124 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, the Health Ministry said, including hundreds of women and children. More than 1 million people are displaced. The deadliest day of the war took place last week, when Israel launched 100 airstrikes across Lebanon in 10 minutes, including in the heart of the capital, killing over 350 people.

The Israeli military has invaded southern Lebanon, a move some Israeli officials have said aims to create a “security zone” from the border to the Litani River, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the north.

Israel’s defense minister says hundreds of thousands of people uprooted from southern Lebanon will not be allowed to return home until the area is demilitarized and Israel believes its northern communities are safe. Hezbollah, though weakened in its last war with Israel that ended in November 2024, still fires drones, rockets and artillery daily into northern Israel and on ground troops inside Lebanon.

Hezbollah enjoys wide influence in Beirut’s southern suburbs, as well as large swaths of the country’s southern and eastern provinces. Hezbollah-allied politicians hold two Cabinet minister positions, though the group’s ties have soured with Lebanon’s top political authorities, who have been critical of Hezbollah’s decision to enter the war last month and who have since criminalized the group’s military activities in the country.

The talks are the first between Israel and Lebanon since 1993. Both countries have relied on indirect communication, often brokered by the United States or UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s top political authorities, critical of Hezbollah’s decision to fire rockets toward Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Iran, quickly proposed direct talks in a bid to stop the escalation, hoping that Israel would not launch its ground invasion.

Israel did not respond positively until last week, after its deadly bombardment hit several crowded commercial and residential areas in Beirut, sparking an international outcry and triggering threats by Iran that it would end the ceasefire with the United States and Israel.

Lebanese officials have pushed for a truce, which Israel has ruled out. Israel has, however, halted strikes on Lebanon's capital following the bombardment.

“Israel’s destruction of Lebanese territories is not the solution, nor will it yield any results,” Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday. He came to power vowing to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah. “Diplomatic solutions have consistently proven to be the most effective means of resolving armed conflicts globally.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday denied having disputes with Lebanon and said, “The problem is Hezbollah.”

Hezbollah wants a return to the 2024 agreement under which talks were conducted indirectly with the U.S., France and UNIFIL as mediators.

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations and Toqa Ezzidin in Cairo contributed to this report.

Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel, Sunday, April 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Children look at a damaged play ground hit yesterday by projectiles launched from Lebanon in Nahariya, northern Israel, Sunday, April 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Israeli bulldozers demolish homes in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, Sunday, April 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Mohammed, 8, cries next to the coffin of his father, Hussein Makkah, during the funeral of 13 state security officers killed the previous day in an Israeli strike in Lebanon’s coastal city of Sidon, Lebanon, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell announced this week that he's leaving Congress and the crowded contest for California governor following sexual assault allegations, which he denies, and a swift exodus of his supporters.

Days ago, the 45-year-old congressman was among a group of leading Democrats in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek a third term at the helm of the nation's most populous state.

Swalwell's campaign unraveled within about 48 hours after the San Francisco Chronicle reported allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him. Later Friday, CNN reported that other women accused him of various forms of sexual misconduct.

He suspended his gubernatorial campaign on Sunday, saying in a social media post, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire financier Tom Steyer, a 2020 presidential candidate, are among other top Democrats seeking to snatch up Swalwell’s former backers as the primary nears with no clear front-runner.

Swalwell said Monday he would leave Congress on his own terms as lawmakers pushed for a bipartisan vote to expel him.

Here's what is known about the allegations against Swalwell and the possible political implications.

The Chronicle interviewed a woman who alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when he was her boss, and again in 2024. She said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex in both cases and did not go to police at the time because she was afraid she would not be believed.

CNN reported allegations that appeared to come from the same woman. Neither outlet named her, and her lawyer declined to comment.

CNN also spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of sending them inappropriate messages and nude photos.

A California woman then held a news conference on Tuesday, identifying herself and saying she was sexually assaulted by Swalwell in 2018 and now plans to make a report to law enforcement. She said she believes Swalwell drugged her before raping her.

Swalwell has maintained that the allegations are false. He said it would be unfair to his constituents if he remained in Congress while he’s distracted from his duties.

Elias Debaie, an attorney for Swalwell, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the new allegations.

Swalwell's exit from the race presents an opening for his former rivals to pick up support ahead of the June 2 primary.

Democrats Steyer and Porter, and two leading Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, are among more than 50 candidates vying for just two spots on the November ballot.

Under California's primary system, only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

There are still seven established Democrats in the primary. Swalwell’s departure narrows the field of top contenders, but it’s too late for his name to be removed from the ballot.

Newsom has acknowledged fears within the party that the large field of candidates could split the Democratic vote into fractions small enough to open a path for a Republican to hold the top office in one of the nation’s most solidly Democratic states. It's still possible — though a long shot — that the two leading Republicans could lock out Democrats in November.

Swalwell, a seven-term lawmaker, did not say when he would leave the U.S. House. Once he does, the governor must call a special election in Swalwell's district “within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy,” according to California election law.

His announcement came as the House Ethics Committee said it had begun investigating whether Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee. The future of the investigation is uncertain, as the committee often stops investigating when lawmakers resign.

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas also announced Monday that he would retire from Congress after bipartisan calls to expel him. Several lawmakers had suggested expelling both Swalwell and Gonzales simultaneously, in an even trade-off for the parties.

Gonzales had already said he would not seek reelection after admitting to an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was first elected to Congress in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco.

He launched a presidential bid in April 2019 but dropped out after just a few months.

Swalwell served as a House manager in Trump’s second impeachment trial in early 2021. He also played a role in investigating ties between Trump associates and Russian officials as a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Lonna Drewes reacts during a news conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., Tuesday, April 14, 2026, to detail allegations of sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell, after Swalwell exited the California governor's race and said he'll resign his seat in Congress. The AP typically does not identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they identify themselves publicly. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The entrance to the office of Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, April 13, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks at a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-CA appears at a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)