Lebanon and Israel Begin Direct Talks in Washington Amid Ceasefire Expiry
A third round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel has commenced in Washington, DC, just days before the expiration of a fragile ceasefire agreement. Lebanese officials express cautious optimism that these two-day ambassador-level talks will yield a new deal to halt hostilities and address critical issues such as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The negotiations involve higher-level envoys, including Lebanon’s Simon Karam and Israel’s Yossi Draznin, though top leadership from both nations and the US remains absent. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently visiting China with President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, violence persists along the border, with recent Israeli strikes causing casualties in Lebanon. Hezbollah has strongly opposed the direct talks, labeling them as concessions to Israel, while Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has refused direct contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United Nations has welcomed the discussions, urging maximum restraint to prevent further escalation into a broader regional conflict as significant military activity continues in the area.
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