Lebanon and Israel hold direct talks in Washington

-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on April 17 for 10 days and has since been extended by three weeks, according to multiple reports. Despite the truce, both sides have continued daily attacks and accuse each other of violations. Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine reported that 380 people have been killed and 1,122 wounded in Lebanon since the ceasefire began, with the overall death toll since the war started on March 2 reaching 2,882 dead and 8,786 wounded.

The conflict has displaced more than 1 million people in Lebanon and killed over 2,000, including more than 500 women, children, and medical workers. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes alone have caused 2,089 deaths, including 252 women, 166 children, and 88 medical workers. S.

launched attacks on Iran. According to The Independent - World, Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa stated that the group will not abide by any agreements resulting from the talks and is not bound by them. According to The Independent - Main, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem called on the Lebanese government to withdraw from direct talks and pursue indirect negotiations instead.

He also disputed that Hezbollah's weapons should be part of the talks, calling it an internal affair, but said the group is ready to cooperate to achieve the five points demanded by the Lebanese government. According to CNN Greece, a Hezbollah representative said the group will not surrender its weapons, called for a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces, and described Israel as an existential threat. The representative also mentioned 84,000 refugees who will receive support.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have stated that Israel's goal in the talks is Hezbollah's disarmament and a potential peace agreement with Lebanon. A spokesperson for Netanyahu, Shosh Bedrosian, said Israel will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah. According to The Independent - Main, Saar described Lebanon as a 'failed state' and said Hezbollah is the only obstacle to peace.

Israel's military occupies a buffer zone up to 10 km into southern Lebanon, according to multiple reports. S. insisted Lebanon would not be part of it, according to multiple reports.

Hezbollah claims Iran obtained a cessation of attacks on Beirut and its southern suburbs. According to Aftonbladet, Iranian deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Iran does not accept a temporary ceasefire for Lebanon. UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire and appealed for respect of the agreement.

According to Aftonbladet, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern that the ceasefire may have been undermined by continued military operations. Donald Trump announced that Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun would meet for further talks, but a Lebanese presidential office official denied knowledge of forthcoming peace talks. Aoun said contacts are ongoing to extend the ceasefire and outlined goals for wider negotiations.

, Israel, and Iran was reached on April 8, according to multiple reports. The exact terms being discussed in Washington remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether the ceasefire will be further extended or lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities. The impact of Hezbollah's rejection on any potential agreement is also unknown, as is the role Iran will play in influencing the group's stance.