For the second consecutive day, delegations from Israel and Lebanon are meeting in Washington for the third round of direct negotiations, a process that a US State Department official described as “productive and positive.” The talks come just days before the current ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is set to expire, and Lebanese officials hope the two-day session will lead to its renewal.
The negotiations, mediated by the United States, are addressing key sticking points, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that has not been part of the talks and has vocally opposed Lebanon’s direct engagement with Israel.
Higher-Level Envoys Signal Progress
This round marks a significant step up from the previous session held in Washington last month, which was mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio is unable to attend this round due to his presence in China alongside US President Donald Trump. The current talks involve higher-level envoys compared to the last session, which was led by ambassadors.
Despite the diplomatic momentum, the two sides still face considerable challenges. Trump had previously called for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Aoun declined to speak directly with Netanyahu at this stage. According to a Lebanese official who spoke on condition of anonymity, Aoun told Trump that if he went to Washington and shook hands with Netanyahu, and talks then fell apart, it could have internal repercussions in Lebanon and discredit Trump. Aoun did indicate that if a security deal were reached, he would come to the White House to “inaugurate” it, a move Trump approved of.
The broader geopolitical context is also relevant, as Europe watches the fallout from Trump’s visit to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping, which has implications for trade and security dynamics that affect the continent.
Ceasefire Under Strain
Despite the ceasefire, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues. On Wednesday, Israel struck seven vehicles in Lebanon, three of which were on the main highway south of Beirut, killing 12 people, including a woman and two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Another 10 people, including six children, were killed in later Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has also continued to fire at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and over the border into northern Israel. Just hours after the talks opened on Thursday, a Hezbollah drone exploded near the border in Rosh Hanikra, injuring three people, according to the Israeli military. It was the first instance of civilian injuries since the ceasefire went into effect.
Renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah ignited on 2 March, shortly after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran and assassinated its supreme leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Hezbollah resumed rocket strikes at Israel, while Israel responded with airstrikes at Lebanon, including its capital Beirut.
The ongoing conflict underscores the fragility of the region, with European nations closely monitoring developments given the potential for broader instability. As the EU grapples with its own challenges, such as the need for unity in the face of shifting global alliances, the outcome of these talks could have ripple effects across the Mediterranean.
