Lebanese officials declared during historic direct talks with Israel on Tuesday that Beirut will no longer accept being "occupied" by Hezbollah, marking a significant assertion of state sovereignty amid ongoing conflict.

The meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, brought together Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad and her Israeli counterpart, Yechiel Leiter. It represented the first direct diplomatic engagement between the two nations in more than three decades. Leiter highlighted the breakthrough, stating, "The Lebanese Government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah." He added that both sides are "united in liberating Lebanon from an occupation power dominated by Iran called Hezbollah."

Lebanon has intensified efforts to curb Hezbollah's military activities. The government, led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, recently banned the group's operations and endorsed U.S.-backed plans for its disarmament by year's end. Aoun emphasized redeploying the Lebanese Army to the border as the sole authority, without partnership from external actors. Moawad called for an immediate ceasefire, the return of over 1.2 million displaced Lebanese, and humanitarian relief.

Israel entered the talks without agreeing to a ceasefire, prioritizing Hezbollah's dismantlement. Netanyahu's government proposed dividing southern Lebanon into security zones, with Israeli forces maintaining a presence near the border until the militia is disarmed. Leiter described the discussions as productive, paving the way for further direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue.

Hezbollah vehemently opposed the proceedings. Secretary-General Naim Qassem labeled the talks "futile" and urged cancellation, insisting on Israeli withdrawal first. A senior official affirmed the group would not abide by any agreements reached. During the summit, Hezbollah launched attacks on northern Israel, triggering sirens.

The talks occur against a backdrop of intensified fighting since early March, when Hezbollah fired on Israel in support of Iran following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran. Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon has created a buffer zone up to the Litani River, killing over 2,000 people and displacing 1.2 million, according to Lebanese authorities. The U.S. views the engagement as a step toward permanent peace, with Rubio noting a framework for positive outcomes.

While no immediate truce emerged, the rare dialogue signals shifting dynamics, with Lebanon distancing itself from the Iran-backed militia weakened by recent losses.