Lebanese and Israeli officials will convene in US on Thursday for a third round of critical negotiations, as the current ceasefire, which technically remains in place despite repeated violations, nears its scheduled end on Sunday.
The diplomatic push follows a wave of intensified Israeli airstrikes, as Lebanon’s health ministry reported on Wednesday that strikes killed 22 people, including eight children. The state-run National News Agency (NNA) confirmed that these attacks targeted 40 locations across Lebanon’s southern and eastern regions.
Consequently, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. Local authorities state that over 2,800 people have died in Lebanon since March, including 200 children. While the truce began on 17 April, an AFP tally indicates that Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 people during this period. Israel maintains that it will continue to target Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed movement, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently reaffirmed this stance, stating, “Anyone who threatens the State of Israel will die because of his actions.”
Objectives and Mediators
Lebanon enters the talks with a clear focus on humanitarian relief, with a Lebanese official stating that the country seeks “the consolidation of the ceasefire.” The official added, “The first thing is to put an end to the death and destruction.”
However, the United States continues to pressure Beirut regarding Hezbollah’s influence. A State Department statement noted that peace remains “contingent on the full restoration of Lebanese state authority and the complete disarmament of Hezbollah.” The US aims for these talks to “break decisively from the failed approach of the past two decades.”
Unlike previous sessions hosted by President Trump, this round features a different diplomatic lineup. With the President visiting China, US Ambassadors Mike Huckabee and Michel Issa will lead the mediation. Lebanon’s delegation includes veteran diplomat Simon Karam, while Israel’s team includes Yechiel Leiter, a close ally of Netanyahu. These mediators face the difficult task of bridging deep divisions before the Sunday deadline.
