US to host 2nd round of Israel-Lebanon talks Thursday

The US will host a second round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations at the State Department on Thursday, a spokesperson told Anadolu.

“The United States will host a second round of ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, April 23, at the Department of State,” the spokesperson said.

“The United States welcomes the productive engagement that began on April 14. We will continue to facilitate direct, good-faith discussions between the two governments,” the State Department spokesperson added.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday that the talks with Israel would aim to stop hostilities, end Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon, and ensure deployment of the Lebanese army to internationally recognized borders.

Since March 2, Israel has carried out an offensive in Lebanon that has killed around 2,300 people, wounded more than 7,500, and displaced over 1 million, according to Lebanese authorities.

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon starting at midnight local time in Tel Aviv and Beirut.

Trump also said on Friday that Washington is actively prohibiting Israel from carrying out additional attacks on Lebanon as a nascent ceasefire takes hold.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday that Israel intends to maintain control over all areas it occupied in southern Lebanon during the recent offensive.