Lebanon and Israel hold talks in Washington as fighting continues

Representatives from Lebanon and Israel met at the U.S. Department of State in Washington on Tuesday for the opening session of a two-day round of negotiations. m. local time and mark the third round of direct talks between the two sides. Lebanese negotiators said they hope the discussions will produce a total ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from territory south of the Litani River.

More than 1.2 million people remain displaced by the fighting, and Lebanese officials want to resume efforts to disarm Hezbollah and rebuild damaged areas.

Background to the talks An initial meeting between the two countries' ambassadors to the United States took place in April. A second round with larger delegations occurred in May. On Friday, military representatives from both sides met separately. Lebanon has presented maps and documentation of damage caused by Israeli strikes since the 2024 ceasefire agreement.

Israel has stated it seeks assurances that Hezbollah will be disarmed.

Positions of the parties Lebanese officials continue to push for a return to the framework of the 1949 armistice agreement. Israeli representatives have indicated they want guarantees on Hezbollah's disarmament before any withdrawal. Hezbollah is not participating in the talks.

Some Lebanese political figures have said negotiations should remain indirect and should not occur while attacks continue. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have worked behind the scenes to align Lebanese leadership and to engage the U.S. administration on preventing further escalation.