WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) – Israel will present Lebanon with a framework for the gradual disarmament of Hezbollah and expanded political ties during the third round of indirect talks in Washington on Thursday, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. said.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter told Walla news in a Hebrew-language interview that Jerusalem is seeking concrete steps to ensure the Iran-backed group is stripped of its weapons in southern Lebanon, despite Beirut’s claims that the area has been cleared.

“Since Hezbollah began attacking Israel in support of Iran in March, we have found 8,000 rockets, missiles and weapons in southern Lebanon. Tunnels and armaments. There are Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon despite the declarations,” Leiter said. “We came and said: this game is over.”

The Israeli proposal calls for a joint, step-by-step process in which both sides define specific areas, clear them of Hezbollah infrastructure and weaponry, and then move to additional zones, he said.

Leiter said Israel is ready to pursue two parallel tracks. One would involve full peace negotiations — covering borders, embassies, visas, tourism and other normal relations — that could be completed within months “as though Hezbollah does not exist.” The second track focuses on dismantling the terror group, with the broader peace agreement contingent on successful disarmament.

The ambassador linked progress in Lebanon to ongoing U.S. negotiations with Iran, telling President Donald Trump and senior officials that any deal with Tehran must end Iranian support for its regional proxies, including Hezbollah. Lebanon’s ambassador to the U.S., Nada Hamadeh, told Trump in the same meeting that Lebanon has no future without a total cessation of Iranian aid to Hezbollah, Leiter reported.

The current ceasefire in Lebanon, announced after the first round of talks last month, remains fragile, according to the envoy.

“It is a ceasefire in aspiration,” Leiter said, adding that Israel will continue to protect its soldiers and civilians and will not allow Hezbollah to rearm.

The talks come amid efforts to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon border following months of fighting that erupted after Hezbollah joined the war against Israel in support of Hamas.