In brief
Lebanon and Israel have conducted their first diplomatic discussions in over 30 years, mediated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meetings aim to address ongoing hostilities and Hezbollah’s military influence. While Israel insists on disarming non-state actors, Lebanon advocated for a ceasefire and measures to alleviate its humanitarian crisis. The talks come amid a deadly conflict that has already claimed over 2,000 lives since early March.
Lebanon and Israel have held their first diplomatic talks in over three decades, a rare encounter aimed at ending fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who mediated, said it was a historic opportunity to end Hezbollah's influence.
A US statement said the two sides had agreed to launch direct negotiations, at a time and place to be determined. Israel insisted on disarming all non-state terror groups - a reference to Hezbollah.
Lebanon called for a ceasefire and measures to address its humanitarian crisis. The two countries do not have diplomatic relations, and the last direct, high-level talks between them took place in 1993.
Over 2,000 people have been killed since Israeli military operations in Lebanon began on 2 March, just days after US and Israeli strikes initiated in Iran.
While the two sides were meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Hezbollah claimed at least 24 attacks on Israel and Israeli troops in Lebanon.
Drone and rocket alarms sounded in communities across northern Israel throughout the day.
Israel maintains that its operations in Lebanon target disarming and dismantling Hezbollah, which it also fought in earlier conflicts.
A spokesman for the US State Department indicated that both Israel and Lebanon had agreed to work towards reducing Hezbollah's influence.
The Lebanese side emphasized the need for a ceasefire and concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in the country.
The US has expressed its support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah's attacks.
Rubio stated that the meeting was just the start of a process that might take time but addressed a significant issue.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that the talks would begin to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people, underlining that the Lebanese armed forces should be solely responsible for regional security.
However, the government’s ability to confront Hezbollah has been compromised. Hezbollah officials conveyed that the group wouldn’t adhere to any agreements made during the talks in Washington.
Politically, Hezbollah maintains a strong presence in Lebanon, influencing key governmental positions despite rising tensions with the central government.
In discussions held between the US and Iran in Pakistan, Iranian negotiators advocated for Lebanon's inclusion in any ceasefire, a proposal both the US and Israel dismissed.
With escalating conflict claiming thousands of lives and displacing nearly a million, the urgent humanitarian situation in Lebanon remains a pressing concern.
