Lebanon and Israel Hold Third Round of Direct Negotiations Amid Ceasefire Violations

Israel and Lebanon are engaged in a third round of direct negotiations in Washington, DC, aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire scheduled to expire soon. The talks, mediated by the United States, focus on establishing a lasting truce and addressing the disarmament of Hezbollah. This diplomatic effort occurs against a backdrop of intensifying violence, with Israeli drone strikes recently killing civilians in southern Lebanon and issuing new evacuation orders. The negotiations have sparked significant internal division within Lebanon; while President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam support direct engagement, Hezbollah and its allies prefer indirect channels. The Lebanese delegation is led by diplomat Simon Karam and includes military attaché General Oliver Hakme, while Israel is represented by Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Brigadier General Amichai Levin. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is absent due to other diplomatic commitments, replaced by senior State Department officials and US ambassadors to both nations. These face-to-face meetings follow previous rounds in April, highlighting the urgent but contentious nature of the peace process as regional tensions remain high.