Breaking News: Israel and Lebanon Begin Third Round of Talks in Washington
A third round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon has started in Washington, D.C. The talks began on Thursday, just days before the expiration of a ceasefire that has seen limited success in halting hostilities.
High-level envoys from both countries are participating. Lebanon’s representative, Simon Karam, is a former ambassador to the U.S. Israel’s Deputy National Security Adviser Yossi Draznin is also attending.
Officials from Lebanon hope these discussions will lead to a new ceasefire and address issues such as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend this session, as he is on a diplomatic visit to China.
Hezbollah has expressed strong opposition to the talks, with lawmaker Ali Ammar calling them “free concessions” to Israel. The United Nations has expressed hope that the negotiations will result in a lasting ceasefire.
Recent violence has escalated, with reports of three people killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday. Since March, Israeli attacks have resulted in nearly 2,900 deaths and over 8,800 injuries in Lebanon, according to local officials.
