US Calls Israel-Lebanon Talks ‘Positive and Productive’ Amid Ongoing Conflict

The United States has characterized the recent Israel-Lebanon discussions held in Washington as “productive and positive.” A State Department official confirmed that further negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict will continue on Friday.

Lebanon’s Demands in Ongoing Negotiations

A senior Lebanese official indicated that Lebanon intends to demand a ceasefire from Israel during these face-to-face talks. This comes as hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah persist, despite a US-backed truce announced last month. An Israeli government spokesperson stated that the primary objective of the discussions is to disarm Hezbollah and work towards a peace agreement.

The meeting, which commenced at approximately 9 AM EDT (1300 GMT) and lasted for eight hours, involved Lebanese and Israeli envoys alongside US officials. The US official described Thursday’s talks as a “full day of productive and positive discussions,” with plans for continued dialogue on Friday.

This meeting marks the third round of negotiations since Israel escalated airstrikes on Lebanon following Hezbollah’s missile attacks on Israel on March 2. This escalation occurred just three days into the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has seen Israel expand its ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Context of the Ongoing Conflict

Despite strong opposition from Hezbollah, Lebanon’s participation in the talks reflects significant internal divisions regarding the militant group, which was established by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982. The Lebanese government has sought disarmament of Hezbollah since last year.

The US-Iran conflict has been a backdrop to the ongoing hostilities, which have continued since President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on April 16. Although the ceasefire has largely contained fighting to southern Lebanon, it is set to expire on Sunday.

The Lebanese health ministry reported that Israeli strikes resulted in 22 fatalities on Wednesday, including eight children. The senior Lebanese official emphasized that the delegation’s goal is to secure a ceasefire that Israel will enforce.

In response, the Israeli military reported that an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah fell within Israeli territory, injuring several civilians. Israel maintains a military presence in a self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon, asserting that this is necessary to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks, which have included hundreds of rockets and drones during the conflict.

Recent Developments in Military Engagements

The Israeli military confirmed that it conducted a new series of attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Thursday. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed responsibility for 17 attacks on Israeli troops in the region on Wednesday.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s decision to continue the talks underscores the complexities surrounding Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon. When the ceasefire was announced in April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that disarming Hezbollah would be a crucial demand in any peace negotiations with Lebanon.

The ongoing meetings in Washington represent the highest-level engagement between Lebanon and Israel in decades. Both nations are expanding their delegations for this round of talks, unlike previous meetings where only ambassadors were present.

Participants in the current discussions include Lebanese Presidential Special Envoy Simon Karam and Israel’s Deputy National Security Adviser Yossi Draznin, along with senior military representatives from Israel, as noted by a State Department official.

Broader Implications of US Mediation

The US-led mediation efforts between Lebanon and Israel are occurring alongside diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the broader US-Iran conflict. Iran has indicated that a cessation of Israel’s military actions in Lebanon is among its conditions for negotiating a wider agreement.

President Trump previously hosted a meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors at the Oval Office, expressing optimism about the potential for a peace deal this year. However, President Aoun later stated that a meeting with Netanyahu would not be appropriate until Lebanon secures a security agreement and a halt to Israeli attacks.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam articulated Lebanon’s negotiation principles in a May 10 interview, emphasizing the need to reinforce the ceasefire, establish a timeline for Israeli withdrawal, and secure the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.

The Lebanese health ministry reports that Israeli military actions have resulted in 2,896 deaths in Lebanon since March 2, including 589 women, children, and medical personnel. Additionally, approximately 1.2 million people have been displaced, many fleeing from southern regions of the country. Israel has reported 17 military fatalities in southern Lebanon, along with two civilian deaths in northern Israel.

Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae

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Published on 2026-05-15 07:11:00 • By the Editorial Desk