Arabic version: مسؤولون من لبنان وإسرائيل يستعدون لمحادثات وقف إطلاق النار في واشنطن
Officials from Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday to discuss ceasefire conditions, following a series of deadly airstrikes by Israel on Lebanese territory. This meeting comes after the ambassadors of both countries agreed to communicate directly, a notable shift in their historically indirect interactions. According to BBC News, the Lebanese presidency announced the meeting, emphasizing that negotiations could only proceed with a ceasefire in place.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the talks after what he described as repeated requests from the Lebanese government. Despite this diplomatic overture, Israeli military operations have continued, with reports from the Lebanese health ministry indicating a rising death toll of 357 from recent bombardments, alongside 1,223 injuries. The ministry noted that the toll remains provisional due to ongoing recovery efforts.
The Israeli military claims that its airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 180 members of Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group. In recent days, Hezbollah has retaliated by launching rockets into Israel, further escalating the conflict that has persisted since early March.
The upcoming discussions in Washington mark a significant moment, as direct talks between the two nations are quite rare. Previous attempts to establish dialogue have been mediated by the United States, particularly after a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. The current situation, however, remains precarious, with disputes over the inclusion of Lebanon in a US-Iran ceasefire declaration complicating matters further.
UN agencies are raising alarms about a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, where over a million individuals have been displaced, and food security is deteriorating due to rising prices and disrupted incomes. The World Food Programme is seeking to enhance its support for affected families, although logistical challenges in delivering aid persist, particularly in southern Lebanon.
