Lebanon hopes for extension of ceasefire at Washington meeting
New Delhi: Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to meet for the second time in two weeks in Washington on Thursday, as efforts continue to stabilise a fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.
The current U.S.-mediated truce, which began 10 days ago, is due to expire on Sunday. Its fragility was underscored this week, with Hezbollah saying it launched rockets into northern Israel in response to alleged Israeli violations, while Israel also accused the group of breaching the agreement.
Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel reignited on March 2, when the group opened fire in support of Tehran in the regional war. Washington’s mediation over Lebanon emerged in parallel to Pakistan’s bid to end the U.S. war with Iran, which had demanded Lebanon be part of a ceasefire.
Washington has denied any link between the tracks.
Since then, more than 2,400 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel has also taken control of a strip of territory along the border where its troops remain, saying it is creating a buffer zone to protect its northern regions from further attacks.
A Lebanese official said the upcoming talks would focus on extending the ceasefire and setting a timeline for broader negotiations.
These future discussions are expected to address key issues such as an Israeli military withdrawal, the return of Lebanese detainees held in Israel, and the formal demarcation of the land border.
Lebanon has made clear that extending the ceasefire is a prerequisite for progressing to wider negotiations.
Hezbollah, which says the Lebanon ceasefire was the fruit of Iranian pressure, has condemned Beirut for seeking talks with Israel, reflecting wider splits with the government that has sought Hezbollah’s peaceful disarmament for a year.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, in a speech, said Israel had taken a “historic decision to negotiate directly with Lebanon after more than 40 years” whilst also calling it a “failed state”.
“I call on the Government of Lebanon: Let’s work together against the terror state that Hezbollah built in your territory. This cooperation is needed by you even more than by us,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it killed two militants who crossed its “Forward Defense Line” in south Lebanon on Tuesday and approached Israeli forces, calling it a violation of the ceasefire.
Druze Leader Urges Clear Agenda, Including Withdrawal
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the Washington meeting, with Lebanon represented its ambassador to Washington, Nada Moawad, and Israel by Ambassador Yechiel Leiter.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has stressed the need to halt Israeli attacks on Lebanon and secure a full troop withdrawal.
In a speech on Friday, he said a ceasefire should be transformed into “permanent agreements that preserve the rights of our people, the unity of our land, and the sovereignty of our nation”.
Announcing the ceasefire on April 16, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine to work with both sides toward a lasting peace.
Lebanon and Israel have technically remained in a state of war since Israel’s creation in 1948.
Within Lebanon, divisions persist over engagement with Israel. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the country’s most senior Shi’ite official, has opposed direct, face-to-face negotiations, arguing that any discussions should take place indirectly.
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt on Tuesday said Lebanon’s maximum concession could be an updated version of the 1949 armistice agreement with Israel.
Speaking after meeting Berri, Jumblatt stressed the need for a clear framework for talks, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
(DD News)
