Lebanon And Israel Begin Direct Peace Talks In Washington Amid Hezbollah Opposition

Lebanon and Israel are set to hold direct negotiations in Washington on Tuesday, marking an unprecedented step after decades of hostility.

“Israel says it will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah when it meets Lebanese officials for talks in Washington next week, as Israeli forces launch new deadly attacks on southern Lebanon”

Al Jazeera

The Lebanese presidency announced that a first telephone call took place between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington, with the US ambassador to Lebanon also participating.

Al Jazeera

Israel's ambassador to Washington confirmed that formal peace negotiations would begin, but added that Israel refuses to discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The talks come after Netanyahu authorized direct talks following repeated requests from the Lebanese government.

Hezbollah has rejected direct negotiations and warned such talks would be unconstitutional and deepen internal divisions.

Lebanon has insisted that a ceasefire be in place before negotiations begin, while Israel has refused to discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The divide widened after the United States and Iran announced a ceasefire earlier in the week.

BBC

Israel continued its military campaign in Lebanon even after the US-Iran ceasefire was declared.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli strikes rose to 357 dead and 1,223 wounded from a single day of bombardment.

The overall death toll in the Israel-Hezbollah war since March 2 rose to about 1,953.

Hezbollah has consistently rejected direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.

“Lebanon’s presidency said Friday that officials will meet with Israel in Washington next week to discuss a cease-fire in the Israel-Hezbollah war and the potential start of negotiations between the two sides”

Daily Sabah

Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah called the talks a clear violation of the national pact, the constitution, and the laws of Lebanon.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem vowed that the resistance will continue until the last breath.

The Lebanese state has historically struggled to rein in Hezbollah.

Whether Hezbollah would abide by any ceasefire agreed by the state remains a major uncertainty.

Lebanese authorities say the weeks of hostilities have killed more than 1,950 people.

The provisional toll of massive Israeli strikes on a single day rose to 357 dead.

Kurdistan24

Three doctors were killed in the strikes.

UNICEF reported that 33 children were killed and 153 others wounded in the latest Israeli raids.

More than one million people have been displaced.

The United Nations warned of a rapid deterioration in Lebanon’s food security.

Lebanon has appointed former ambassador Simon Karam to head its delegation.

Israel has tapped Ron Dermer to lead its side.

The Arab Weekly

Neither is expected to attend the initial Washington meeting.

The talks are being held under American auspices.

The path forward remains fraught with obstacles.