BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanon will seek an extension of a fragile ceasefire with Israel during a second round of US-mediated talks in Washington on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official said.
The meeting, to be hosted by the United States, will bring together Lebanese and Israeli envoys following a preparatory session held last week.
“Lebanon will request during the meeting an extension of the ceasefire and a halt to the demolition of homes and the bulldozing of houses in occupied villages,” the official told Anadolu Agency.
The US-mediated ceasefire, which took effect on April 16 and is set to expire on Sunday, has reduced hostilities but has not fully halted violence.
Clashes have continued in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have established what they describe as a buffer zone extending 5 to 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory.
Israel says the move is aimed at protecting its northern regions from attacks by Hezbollah.
Wednesday marked the deadliest day since the ceasefire began, with at least five people killed in Israeli strikes, including Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, according to a senior Lebanese military official.
Hezbollah said it carried out four operations in southern Lebanon in response to Israeli attacks.
The group’s lawmaker, Hassan Fadlallah, said Hezbollah supported extending the ceasefire but only if Israel fully complies with its terms.
“Full compliance means halting assassinations, completely ceasing fire and stopping the destruction of villages,” he said at a televised press conference.
He also reiterated the group’s opposition to direct talks with Israel and urged the Lebanese government to avoid face-to-face negotiations.
According to Lebanese authorities, nearly 2,500 people have been killed since Israel launched its offensive following Hezbollah’s March 2 attack.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Beirut’s envoy to the talks, ambassador to the United States Nada Moawad, would press for an extension of the ceasefire and an end to Israeli demolitions in southern villages.
A Lebanese official said Beirut views a ceasefire extension as a prerequisite for advancing talks to a broader phase.
That next stage would include demands for an Israeli troop withdrawal, the return of Lebanese detainees, and the delineation of the land border.
The talks will take place in Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to attend. Israel will be represented by its ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter.
Rubio hosted an earlier round of talks between Leiter and Moawad on April 14, marking one of the highest-level contacts between Lebanon and Israel in decades.
A US official told AFP that the meeting would now be held at the White House, where President Donald Trump is expected to greet both delegations.
Israel has said its objectives in the talks include dismantling Hezbollah and creating conditions for a broader peace arrangement.
It has also sought alignment with the Lebanese government on curbing Hezbollah’s influence.
