Lebanon and Israel Hold New Peace Talks in US as Ceasefire Nears End

Lebanon and Israel conducted a third round of peace talks in Washington, mediated by US ambassadors, as their current ceasefire approaches its expiration on Sunday. Despite the truce, which began on April 17, violence has persisted, with Israeli airstrikes killing over 400 people in Lebanon during this period. Israel justified recent strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon following a drone incident that wounded civilians. Lebanese officials prioritized ending the destruction and consolidating the ceasefire, while the US emphasized that comprehensive peace requires the disarmament of Hezbollah and the restoration of Lebanese state authority. Notably, high-level US officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were absent due to a state visit to China. Hezbollah continues to reject direct negotiations, viewing them as concessions to Israel. The conflict, triggered in March after retaliatory rocket fire, has resulted in over 2,800 deaths in Lebanon since March 2. These talks aim to break from past failed diplomatic approaches, though significant security disagreements remain between the parties.