Israel-Lebanon ceasefire talks resume in Washington as border violence intensifies

The United States hosted a new round of talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington on Thursday as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides nears its expiration this weekend. The negotiations come amid continued cross-border violence and mounting civilian casualties in southern Lebanon.

According to US officials, Lebanese and Israeli envoys met at the State Department for discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and preventing a wider regional escalation. The talks are the third round of negotiations since hostilities reignited between Israel and Hezbollah in March.

Even though they are talking Israel is still bombing eastern Lebanon. The news agency in Lebanon said that Israel bombed places even where they did not tell people to leave. The day Israel bombed Lebanon, it killed at least 22 people, including eight kids.

Israel’s military said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon after warning residents to evacuate several towns and villages. It also claimed a Hezbollah drone crashed in Israeli territory, injuring multiple civilians.

US President Donald Trump had earlier announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire following White House talks in April and expressed hope for a historic summit between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. 

However, that meeting did not happen because Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that Israel needs to stop attacking Lebanon before they can have the important meeting.

A Lebanese official said Beirut’s priority in Washington was “the consolidation of the ceasefire” and ending the ongoing destruction, while Hezbollah lawmakers again rejected direct negotiations with Israel.