Second Round of Lebanon-Israel Direct Talks Set for This Week: US Officials
US officials said on Monday that a second round of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel is set to take place later this week, according to Al Arabiya English.
Second Round of Talks
This week’s talks will mark the second round of such direct discussions, following inaugural negotiations held last week and hosted by the Trump administration at the US State Department.
“The United States welcomes the productive engagement that began on April 14,” a State Department official told Al Arabiya English.
The official added that Washington will continue to facilitate direct, good-faith discussions between the two governments.
He further noted that Lebanon and Israel are expected to be represented by their respective ambassadors to Washington, who will also lead the delegations.
Crucially, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, the Lebanese ambassador to the US, and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter held talks last week in what marked the first such meeting in decades.
On Monday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the government and no other party would lead the planned talks with Israel, in a veiled reference to Iran. Tehran has recently attempted to take credit for the recently announced 10-day ceasefire to the war between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel.
War in Iran
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has been responding with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi as a retaliatory move, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict has spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead, triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Lebanon Involvement
On March 2, Lebanon was drawn into the conflict only when Hezbollah launched a series of attacks to support its ally, Tehran.
As a result, Israel has launched an extensive military campaign that has since killed more than 2,000 people.
In a statement on X, Aoun also said that former Lebanese ambassador to Washington Simon Karam will head Lebanon’s delegation.
Related Topics:
Lebanon-Israel Talks Expected amid Escalating Hezbollah Conflict
Trump Announces 10-Day Ceasefire between Lebanon, Israel
Hezbollah Rejects Talks with Israel amid Attacks on Lebanon
