Third round of Israel-Lebanon talks to take place with military officials
The Jerusalem Post • • world
Key Points:
- The third round of Israel-Lebanon talks will commence in Washington at the State Department on Thursday, involving military representatives for the first time, just before the expiration of a US-brokered three-week ceasefire.
- The Lebanese delegation includes former and current ambassadors to the US and a military attaché, while the Israeli side features their ambassador, a National Security Council representative, and military officials; the talks aim to discuss a deeper framework for an agreement.
- The Trump administration is pressuring Lebanon to repeal its 1955 law prohibiting normalization with Israel, demanding reciprocal steps from Beirut to continue the ceasefire, as Israel has already maintained it and taken measures to improve the situation.
- Lebanon filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council accusing Iran of interfering in its internal affairs and violating international obligations, following an Israeli strike on Iranian diplomats in Beirut.
- Hezbollah has called on Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to hold a national referendum on direct negotiations and peace with Israel, criticizing any normalization efforts and warning of potential US pressure during Aoun's upcoming visit to Washington.