U.S.-Hosted Israel-Lebanon Talks Open As Hezbollah Border Truce Nears End
A third round of direct Israel-Lebanon talks opened in Washington on Thursday, May 14, 2026, as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah nears expiration.[1]
Lebanon is pressing for a complete ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, saying Hezbollah's weapons can be handled domestically later.[1] Israel says disarming Hezbollah must be central and has suggested the talks could pave the way to normalization, a step Lebanon rejects for now.[1]
The talks come days before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began on April 17, and which has already been extended once.[1] That deadline has added urgency to the Washington talks as officials seek a way to prevent a return to cross-border fighting.
President Trump has urged a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Aoun has declined so far.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- A third round of direct Israel-Lebanon talks opened in Washington on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
- The meetings come days before a U.S.-brokered April 17 ceasefire, already extended once, is set to expire.
- Lebanon seeks a complete ceasefire and subsequent Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah’s arms to be handled domestically later.
- Israel emphasizes Hezbollah disarmament and has described the talks as a potential precursor to normalization, which Lebanon rejects at this stage.
- President Trump has urged a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but Aoun has declined so far.
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