New round of negotiations confirmed
The United States will host a new round of Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington this Thursday, as a fragile ceasefire remains in place between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. A US State Department official confirmed the development on Monday.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington continues to facilitate direct and good-faith discussions between the two governments. The talks will once again take place at the ambassadorial level, following the initial round held on 14 April.
Lebanon seeks lasting end to conflict
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the direct negotiations with Israel – opposed by Hezbollah – aim to secure a lasting end to the conflict and address Israel’s presence in parts of southern Lebanon.
Despite the ceasefire that came into effect on Friday, tensions remain high. Lebanon’s national news agency ANI reported a drone strike in the south, targeting the area of Qaaqaait al-Jisr near the Litani River.
Ceasefire under strain
According to official figures released on Monday, Israeli bombardments have killed 2,387 people and forced more than one million Lebanese residents to flee their homes since 2 March.
The ten-day ceasefire was announced after last week’s meeting between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in the United States, the first such engagement in decades.
Regional pressure and diplomacy
Tehran had demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon, calling it a necessary condition for continuing talks with Washington aimed at ending the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran on 28 February.
However, US officials insist that the two diplomatic tracks remain separate and are not linked.
Source: CNA
Also read: US-Iran ceasefire nears expiry; tensions and threats escalate
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