Lebanon, Israel to hold rare talks amid continuous Israeli bombing
Beirut demands ceasefire first as Israeli attacks intensify, raising doubts over US-led negotiations in Washington
WASHINGTON (MNTV) — Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to hold a rare face-to-face meeting in Washington, even as Israel continues its military assault across southern Lebanon, casting serious doubt over the credibility of US-led diplomatic efforts.
The talks, scheduled at the US State Department, will bring together Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Nada Moawad, and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter, alongside US representatives.
The meeting is being framed as a step toward de-escalation, but comes under the shadow of ongoing Israeli attacks that have killed thousands and displaced over a million people.
Lebanese officials say the primary objective of the meeting is to secure an immediate ceasefire, stressing that no meaningful negotiations can proceed while Israeli bombardment continues.
Beirut has made clear it will present a truce proposal, leaving Israel to respond, but insists that any further dialogue hinges on a halt to hostilities.
The planned encounter follows Lebanon’s rejection of indirect or “third-party” negotiations, with leaders insisting that any diplomatic process must proceed through official state channels.
Authorities have also sought to separate Lebanon’s position from the broader US-Iran conflict, amid concerns that Washington could use the Lebanese front as leverage in its regional agenda.
Despite the diplomatic overtures, Israeli forces have continued to escalate their campaign on the ground. Fighting has intensified in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, where Israeli troops are attempting to consolidate control over border areas in what Lebanese military sources describe as a euphemism to expand occupation zones.
Israel claims to have killed dozens of Hezbollah fighters, while Hezbollah says it has responded with drone strikes targeting Israeli troop concentrations and military positions near the border. The situation remains highly volatile, with fierce clashes ongoing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that military operations will not stop, even as talks are being arranged. He reiterated that the war would continue, underscoring what critics describe as Israel’s use of negotiations as a cover to advance military objectives.
Israel’s broader goal, according to officials, includes disarming Hezbollah and imposing a long-term security arrangement — demands widely seen in Lebanon as unrealistic under conditions of ongoing aggression.
The war has already taken a devastating toll. Lebanese authorities report more than 2,000 people killed, over 6,500 wounded, and more than 1.2 million displaced, with widespread destruction across the South.
Within Lebanon, political divisions have deepened over the prospect of negotiations. Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, have strongly opposed talks with Israel, warning against entering negotiations under fire. Officials caution that Israel may be exploiting the timing to extract concessions while maintaining military pressure.
Lebanese lawmakers have argued that any dialogue conducted under bombardment would effectively serve Israeli interests, allowing it to dictate terms from a position of power.
Meanwhile, international pressure has grown for a ceasefire, with several countries urging restraint. Italy has offered to host future negotiations, while Germany has expressed support for Lebanon’s push to restore sovereignty and stability.
Despite these diplomatic moves, skepticism remains high over Washington’s role, with critics accusing the United States of enabling Israel’s military campaign while attempting to position itself as a mediator.
Lebanese officials have reiterated that any lasting resolution must include a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas, the release of detainees, reconstruction of devastated areas, and the safe return of displaced civilians.
As talks loom in Washington, the contradiction between diplomacy and ongoing violence continues to define the crisis, raising fears that negotiations may serve more as a political façade than a genuine path toward peace.
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