BEIRUT — Lebanese and Israeli diplomatic representatives were scheduled to conduct their second round of face-to-face negotiations in Washington Thursday, focusing on potentially extending the current truce with Hezbollah and establishing frameworks for future diplomatic discussions between the longtime adversaries.
The diplomatic session involves Lebanon’s U.S. Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, marking their second encounter following last week’s historic meeting — the first direct diplomatic contact between the nations in 30 years.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced Wednesday that ongoing communications aim to prolong the 10-day cessation of hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah that took effect this past Friday.
According to statements from Aoun’s office, Hamadeh plans to propose extending the current ceasefire while requesting an immediate halt to Israeli demolition activities in occupied Lebanese communities and villages, actions that began after hostilities erupted on March 2.
Broader diplomatic preparations are underway for comprehensive negotiations between the two nations. Future discussions will target complete cessation of Israeli military operations, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, freedom for Lebanese detainees in Israeli custody, positioning of Lebanese military units along the border, and initiating reconstruction efforts, Aoun explained.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged Lebanon to collaborate with Israel in dismantling the Iranian-supported militant organization Hezbollah before the Washington negotiations proceed.
“We don’t have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved,” Saar stated during Independence Day addresses to Israel’s diplomatic representatives, while also characterizing the neighboring nation as a “failed state.”
“The obstacle to peace and normalization between the countries is one: Hezbollah,” he declared, suggesting Lebanon could achieve “a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from the Iranian occupation.”
Current hostilities began when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks against northern Israeli territory, occurring two days following joint Israeli-U.S. strikes against Iran. Israel retaliated with extensive bombing campaigns across Lebanon and ground operations that resulted in the capture of numerous border communities.
Israeli military forces currently maintain control over a buffer area extending up to 10 kilometers into southern Lebanese territory. Israeli officials state their objective involves eliminating threats from short-range rockets and anti-tank weaponry targeting northern Israeli communities.
Despite Hezbollah’s complete opposition to the process, these negotiations represent significant progress between two nations lacking diplomatic relations and technically remaining in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948.
Lebanese government officials view these discussions as potentially leading to permanent conflict resolution. While Iran has demanded ending regional conflicts as a prerequisite for U.S. dialogue, Lebanon maintains its commitment to independent representation.
Wafiq Safa, a senior official within Hezbollah’s political leadership, informed The Associated Press that the organization will not honor any agreements reached through these direct negotiations, which it firmly opposes.
Multiple ceasefire violations by both parties have occurred since the truce implementation last week.
The recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict resulted in approximately 2,300 Lebanese casualties, including hundreds of women and children, while displacing more than one million residents.
Last week’s diplomatic engagement marked the first direct Israel-Lebanon talks since 1993. Both nations have historically depended on indirect communication channels, typically facilitated by the United States or UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s senior political leadership, critical of Hezbollah’s March 2 rocket attacks launched in support of Iran, rapidly proposed direct negotiations to prevent further escalation, hoping to deter Israel’s planned ground offensive.
