Lebanon Israel Resume Washington Peace Talks Amid Violence
Lebanon Israel Hold Fresh Washington Talks As Ceasefire Weakens
Beirut: (Web Desk) – Lebanon and Israel are preparing to resume peace negotiations in Washington on Thursday as their fragile ceasefire agreement approaches its expiration. Despite the truce technically remaining in effect, ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have continued to cause heavy casualties and destruction.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported that at least 22 people, including eight children, were killed on Wednesday after intensified Israeli attacks targeted nearly 40 locations across southern and eastern Lebanon. The strikes were confirmed by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
The upcoming talks follow an earlier meeting at the White House on April 23, where US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire and expressed hope for a landmark summit involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. However, the proposed summit never took place after Lebanon insisted that Israeli military actions must stop before any historic meeting could occur.
Although the ceasefire began on April 17 and was later extended through Sunday, Israeli operations have reportedly killed more than 400 people during the truce period. Israel maintains that it will continue targeting Hezbollah positions, accusing the Iran-backed group of threatening Israeli security.
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The conflict escalated after Hezbollah launched attacks into northern Israel following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the wider US-Israel conflict earlier this year. Netanyahu recently declared that anyone threatening Israel would face severe retaliation after an Israeli strike in Beirut reportedly killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
Lebanese officials heading to Washington say their priority is securing a stronger and lasting ceasefire to stop civilian deaths and destruction. Meanwhile, the United States continues pressuring Lebanon to restore full state control and disarm Hezbollah as part of broader regional peace efforts.
The talks, hosted at the US State Department, will include diplomats and envoys from both countries alongside American mediators. However, neither Trump nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend due to Trump’s ongoing state visit to China.
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