New diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel are complicated by the unresolved May 17 Agreement from 1983. Furthermore, Lebanese leadership faces intense pressure and veiled threats from Hezbollah, which rejects compromise.

As Lebanon prepares to resume direct discussions with Israel, the ghost of the May 17 Agreement of 1983 – a deal that was signed but never implemented – is haunting the new round of negotiations. President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are facing a smear campaign from Hezbollah, which has already rejected any compromise and issued thinly veiled threats against the country's leadership.