The meeting between Lebanese and Israeli diplomats in Washington marks a historic diplomatic breakthrough, as such formal talks have not happened in decades. Direct talks between Lebanon and Israel are highly unusual, with the two countries historically communicating through intermediaries, according to reports. This session is an attempt to reach a diplomatic solution to the war, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio participating as a mediator, according to multiple reports. Efforts to establish negotiations have been ongoing since a ceasefire agreement in November 2024, with US envoys previously mediating indirect talks between the two sides, according to reports.
Hezbollah is at the center of the negotiations, according to officials, but the group is not participating in the meeting. Hezbollah was weakened and isolated after the war with Israel that ended in November 2024, multiple reports indicate. The absence of Hezbollah from the table raises questions about the viability of any agreement, as the group remains a key military and political force in Lebanon.
The human cost of the Israel-Hezbollah war has been severe. The Health Ministry in Lebanon reports that the conflict has caused at least 2,089 fatalities in Lebanon, including 252 women, 166 children, and 88 medical workers, with 6,762 wounded and over one million displaced. Israel carried out widespread air strikes that killed more than 300 people in Lebanon in one day last week, according to multiple reports. The Lebanese health ministry said the death toll from Wednesday's massive bombardment had risen to 357, with 1,223 people injured, and added that the toll is still not final, due to the ongoing removal of rubble and the presence of a large amount of human remains requiring DNA testing. Lebanese authorities said victims of the latest Israeli attacks also included seven members of the same family in the town of Abbassieh and 11 people in Zrarieh.
Despite diplomatic efforts, military escalation continues. Israel is carrying out a ground invasion into southern Lebanon, aiming to create a depopulated 'security zone' from the border to the Litani River, according to some Israeli officials. Hezbollah fires drones, rockets, and artillery daily into northern Israel and at ground troops inside Lebanon, multiple reports indicate. A fragile ceasefire ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, but Israel continued near-daily attacks on targets linked to Hezbollah, according to multiple reports. Hezbollah responded with rocket fire as the talks began in Washington, multiple reports indicate.
The Lebanese government has pursued diplomatic initiatives amid challenges. President Joseph Aoun proposed to negotiate directly with Israel to stop the bloodshed, but Israel ignored the offer until last week, according to multiple reports. Aoun came to power vowing to disarm non-state groups including Hezbollah, multiple reports indicate. Lebanon's top political authorities proposed direct talks with Israel to stop escalation after Hezbollah fired rockets on March 2, according to multiple reports. Lebanon insists on representing itself in talks, not relying on Iran, multiple reports indicate, though critics believe Lebanon's government has no leverage and should take advantage of Iran's position, according to Hezbollah and critics.
Recent diplomatic developments include official statements that have shaped the talks. According to the Lebanese presidency, Israel and Lebanon's ambassadors to the US have agreed in a first phone call to meet in Washington on Tuesday to seek an announcement on a ceasefire and a date to begin direct negotiations. A senior presidency official told the BBC negotiations could only happen with a ceasefire in place. Israel's ambassador to Washington confirmed that formal peace negotiations would begin with Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had authorised direct talks following what he said were repeated requests from the Lebanese government. During the call they agreed to the meeting at the US State Department, the Lebanese president's office said. Delegations will meet on Tuesday to discuss ceasefire conditions, a senior official from the president's office said, adding that if they can agree on conditions for a ceasefire then negotiations will go ahead at a later date and time.
Israel's stance on ceasefire and negotiations remains firm. Israel has ruled out a ceasefire with Hezbollah. In a statement addressed to residents of northern Israel on Thursday night, Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no ceasefire in Lebanon.
The broader regional context involves the US, Iran, and ceasefire disputes. The US and Israel coordinated an attack on Iran on February 28, and also attacked targets in Lebanon, according to multiple reports. A preliminary ceasefire was reached between the US, Israel, and Iran on the night of April 8, multiple reports indicate. There is fierce dispute over whether Lebanon was included in the US-Iran ceasefire declared by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Pakistan, which mediated the truce, and Iran say Lebanon was included in the US-Iran ceasefire, while the US and Israel say Lebanon was not included. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told the BBC on Thursday that Israeli strikes on Lebanon constituted a grave violation of the ceasefire. US Vice-President JD Vance stated in a public speech that he thought the Iranians believed the ceasefire included Lebanon, but it did not.
Hezbollah's motivations and retaliatory actions have been a driving force in the conflict. Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in retaliation for the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February, according to the group. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said 13 state security personnel had been killed by strikes on the southern city of Nabatieh and condemned the continued attacks.
Israeli military claims highlight ongoing operations. The Israeli military said the wave of attacks across the country had killed at least 180 Hezbollah terrorists from the Lebanese armed group.
Key unknowns surround the ceasefire conditions and Hezbollah's response. What specific ceasefire conditions will be discussed at the Washington meeting remains unclear, as does whether Hezbollah will agree to any ceasefire or diplomatic solution negotiated without its direct participation. The exact timeline and agenda for the direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel have not been finalized.
Uncertainties persist about how the ongoing Israeli ground invasion and Hezbollah rocket fire will affect the diplomatic talks, and the negotiation timeline is still being determined. The impact of military actions on diplomacy could complicate efforts to reach a sustainable agreement.
Iran's potential role and regional implications add another layer of complexity. Given its support for Hezbollah and disputes over the ceasefire, it is uncertain what role Iran will play in the negotiations, which could influence the broader stability of the Middle East.