Negotiations held amid continued violence
Israel-Lebanon talks are set to begin on Thursday in Washington, as negotiators from both governments meet just days before the expiration of a ceasefire that has failed to halt ongoing violence in the region.
The discussions come after a new wave of Israeli strikes across Lebanon, which reportedly killed at least 22 people, including five children, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health in Beirut.
Representatives of both governments previously met on 23 April at the White House, where US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire and expressed hope for a historic agreement between the two neighbouring countries, which do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.
The ceasefire is now set to expire on 17 May, although hostilities have continued since it initially came into force on 17 April.
According to Lebanese authorities, more than 400 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce began, while over 10,000 properties have been damaged or destroyed.
US mediation and regional tensions
The Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington will be mediated by US officials, who say their goal is to reinforce Lebanon’s sovereignty across its entire territory while also pressing Beirut to disarm Hezbollah.
The United States maintains that its broader objective is to stabilise the region, though Israel insists it retains the right to target Hezbollah positions.
Iran, meanwhile, has linked any potential regional agreement to a halt in Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Lebanon seeks ceasefire stabilisation
A Lebanese source told AFP that Beirut’s priority in the talks is to stabilise the ceasefire and end the ongoing destruction and loss of life.
“The priority is to stop the deaths and the destruction,” the source said.
Since the escalation of conflict in March, more than 2,800 people have reportedly been killed in Lebanon, including at least 200 children, according to official figures.
Delegations and US mediators
The two-day talks at the State Department will include US ambassadors to both countries, Mike Huckabee and Michel Issa, alongside senior representatives from Israel and Lebanon.
Lebanon will be represented by diplomat Simon Karam, while Israel will be represented by its ambassador to Washington, Yehiel Leiter.
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