Lebanon, Israel Begin Talks in Washington Amid US-Iran Deal Shadows

Lebanon set to hold new round of talks with Israel in Washington

Lebanese officials insist face-to-face negotiations are key to ending war since March 2. Over 4,000 people killed in Lebanon.

Four rounds of Lebanese-Israeli talks since April failed to produce durable ceasefire.

Iran-US deal agreed this week halted fighting across all fronts, including Lebanon.

Deal buoyed Iran-backed Hezbollah and dealt a blow to the Lebanese state, whose leaders warned Tehran cannot negotiate on Lebanon’s behalf.

Lebanese official skeptical about progress in negotiations, citing lack of trust between Israelis and Lebanese.

One key goal for Lebanon is Israeli military withdrawal, but top Israeli officials say troops will remain indefinitely.

Lebanon seeks Israel to present “reasonable” timetable for withdrawal at talks.

Israel sees purpose of upcoming talks as disarming Hezbollah and achieving genuine peace agreement with Lebanon.

Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer says only impediment to deal is Hezbollah, which has rejected full disarmament.

Lebanese government has moved carefully since 2025 to disarm Hezbollah without confronting group directly, fearing civil conflict.

Hezbollah rejects disarming in full and calls on Lebanese government to withdraw from direct talks with Israel.

Israeli officials angry over US-Iran deal may assume harder line in Washington talks, says analyst Karim Safieddine.

First proposed by Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun in March, direct talks only began mid-April after US announced ceasefire enabling diplomatic process leading to peace deal.