US to Host New Round of Israel-Lebanon Talks in Washington Next Week

US Announces New Round of Talks Between Israel and Lebanon

A new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon is set to take place in Washington, DC, next week. The State Department confirmed the announcement on Friday, following a renewed ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

According to the department, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday, emphasizing that bilateral negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are crucial for reconstruction, economic recovery, and ending cycles of violence. The talks, scheduled for June 23-25, aim to make progress toward a lasting peace.

This marks the latest development in efforts to resolve tensions between Israel and Lebanon. Direct talks between the two countries began in April, with subsequent rounds of negotiations taking place in June. However, these talks have not included Hezbollah, which has hindered meaningful progress.

In recent months, Israeli attacks have killed at least 47 people across southern Lebanon since midnight. The ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024 had aimed to disarm Hezbollah as part of a US-backed roadmap. The Lebanese government has also sought Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The US-Iran memorandum of understanding, signed in June, commits to ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon. However, ongoing fighting has continued to derail this agreement, prompting criticism from Iranian officials who accuse Israel of seeking “permanent war”.

Source: Al Jazeera