Israel Rejects Ceasefire with Hezbollah Ahead of Lebanon Talks in Washington
Israel has refused calls for a ceasefire with Hezbollah as it prepares for scheduled talks with Lebanon in Washington.
The Israeli government maintains that Hezbollah remains the main obstacle to peace and will not discuss halting the fighting during the upcoming negotiations.
The talks, set to take place at the U.S.
State Department, will mark the first formal contact between Israel and Lebanon, two countries without diplomatic relations.
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors finalized arrangements for the meeting following late-night discussions.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have continued amid the diplomatic efforts, causing significant casualties.
Lebanese authorities report that more than 1,950 people have been killed in the conflict, including over 350 on the first day of the ceasefire agreed between the U.S. and Iran.
This development is significant as it highlights the ongoing tensions and violence despite diplomatic attempts to resolve the conflict.
The refusal to discuss a ceasefire underscores the challenges facing peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter stated that Israel agreed to begin formal peace negotiations with Lebanon but ruled out any discussion involving Hezbollah, which Israel labels a terrorist organization responsible for attacks against it.
The diplomatic push comes amid intensified Israeli air strikes across Lebanon.
On Saturday, an air strike destroyed a residential building in Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh district, killing three people.
