The US announced that a new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon will be held in Washington DC from Tuesday to Thursday this week.
The US and Iran's condition for a Lebanon ceasefire
The announcement came after Israel and Hezbollah declared a renewed ceasefire in Lebanon. Iran, as the party supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon, put forward a ceasefire in Lebanon as a key condition in its ongoing negotiations with the US.
US Vice President JD Vance stated that the US and Iran will establish 'coordination mechanisms' to monitor the ceasefire in Lebanon and clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Vance said technical negotiations will continue in the coming 'weeks and days'.
Lebanon and Hezbollah's stance
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a phone call with Vance and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, discussing a 'non-conflict' mechanism for his country.
Hezbollah, on the other hand, condemned the upcoming talks, demanding first the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
Israel's insistence on not withdrawing
Israel has stated several times over the past month that it will not withdraw from Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement last week that together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they are pursuing a clear policy that the army will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza for an 'unlimited period' to protect the border and Israeli communities.
Netanyahu also, at the end of last week, in a statement aimed at appeasing hardline critics in his government, insisted that the Israeli army will act with 'full freedom' against any threat it faces in southern Lebanon and that troops will remain deployed in the area as long as deemed necessary.
Why did previous ceasefire agreements fail?
A ceasefire reached between Lebanon and Israel in November 2024 under US mediation aimed to end active hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. However, because the agreement granted the Israeli army the right to operate when it perceived a potential threat to its security, Israel continued its attacks.
In March, Hezbollah renewed its attacks on northern Israel in response to the US-Israeli attacks on February 28, and Israel responded with its own attacks, expanding its occupation in southern Lebanon.
In April, direct talks were held and President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had reached a 10-day ceasefire to allow negotiations to continue for a more lasting security and peace agreement. However, Israel continued its attacks and advance in Lebanon until this week.
