After US mediation, Israel and Lebanon will begin negotiations to resolve several disputes over areas across the border between the two countries, a source familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

The goal is to start the talks “as soon as possible,” they said.

The discussions will focus on the release of Lebanese prisoners, the remaining points of contention along the Blue Line, the demarcation line between the two countries, and the five remaining locations where IDF troops are still stationed.
Earlier, a quadrilateral meeting was held in Nakoura with the participation of IDF representatives, alongside their counterparts from the United States, France, and Lebanon, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
During the meeting, it was agreed to establish three joint working groups aimed at stabilizing the region. These groups will focus on the five points controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon, discussions regarding the Blue Line and disputed areas, and the Lebanese detainees held by Israel.
IDF troops operate in southern Lebanon, December 27, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF troops operate in southern Lebanon, December 27, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Additionally, Israel will return a number of Lebanese civilians back to Lebanon who were captured during the war, said a source.

Maintaining ceasefire agreement

Lebanon said it had received the four Lebanese hostages from Israel, with a fifth to be handed over on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Lebanese president’s office on X/Twitter.
Lebanese media including the state news agency NNA reported that the released Lebanese hostages had arrived in a hospital in southern Lebanon’s Tyre.
In a statement on X the same day, US Deputy Presidential Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus said: “Today, the United States announced we are bringing together Lebanon and Israel for talks aimed at diplomatically resolving several outstanding issues between the two countries.”
She added that all those involved remained committed to maintaining the ceasefire.
The Trump administration said, “Everyone involved remains committed to maintaining the ceasefire agreement and to fully implement all its terms. We look forward to quickly convening these diplomat-led working groups to resolve outstanding issues, along with our international partners.”

This is a developing story.