Lebanon and Israel to Hold New Ceasefire Talks in Washington Amid Rising Violence

Lebanese and Israeli delegations are scheduled to begin a third round of peace talks in Washington on Thursday, just days before their current ceasefire is set to expire. Despite the truce, which began on April 17, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, killing over 400 people according to Lebanese authorities. The negotiations aim to consolidate the ceasefire and address security concerns, particularly regarding Hezbollah's presence and disarmament. Previous efforts, including a proposed summit between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, failed due to ongoing violence. The United States, acting as mediator, emphasizes that lasting peace requires restoring Lebanese state authority and eliminating terrorist threats. Notably, high-level US officials like President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend, with lower-ranking diplomats leading the discussions. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Israel continues its military campaign against Hezbollah, citing retaliation for attacks linked to Iran. The conflict has caused significant regional instability, impacting global economies and resulting in thousands of casualties in Lebanon since March.