Lebanese and Israeli officials resumed face-to-face talks in Washington on Thursday as the latest US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah approached its scheduled expiration on Sunday. The discussions represent the highest-level engagement between the two sides in decades, amid ongoing hostilities and a fragile truce that has not fully halted violence along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Lebanon’s delegation, led in part by former Ambassador Simon Karam, is expected to press Israel to implement a lasting ceasefire, with a senior Lebanese official emphasizing the priority of securing an end to the violence. The official told reporters that Lebanon aims to “consolidate the ceasefire” and halt the “death and destruction” caused by recent Israeli strikes. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli air raids on Wednesday killed 22 people, including eight children, while Israeli military sources said Hezbollah launched a drone attack on Israeli territory, causing injuries to several civilians.

The two-day talks follow previous rounds held in Washington, which were facilitated by US officials and marked by strong objections from Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group that remains opposed to direct negotiations with Israel. Hezbollah continued to exchange fire with Israeli forces despite the ceasefire declared on April 16, firing rockets and drones at northern Israel and claiming multiple attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Hezbollah’s disarmament remain a fundamental demand in any peace process, while Israel has maintained a self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon intended to protect its northern border. Israel’s military reported ongoing airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions, accompanied by warnings for civilians in southern Lebanese towns to evacuate.

The talks occur amid broader regional tensions linked to US-Iran conflict dynamics. Iran regards the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon as a key condition for a wider peace agreement, while US-led mediation efforts attempt to balance competing interests. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has underscored the need for security arrangements and a halt to Israeli attacks before meeting with Netanyahu, a position reflecting Lebanon’s cautious approach given Hezbollah’s influence.

Both Lebanon and Israel have expanded their negotiating delegations for this round, with senior military and security officials joining diplomatic representatives. A US State Department official described the talks as an effort to break with past failures that allowed militant groups to strengthen and compromise Lebanese state authority.

Since violence flared on March 2, following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than 2,800 people have reportedly died in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel has targeted Hezbollah strongholds and border areas in sustained military operations. Lebanon calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from its southern territory and the extension of state sovereignty as part of its commitment to disarm Hezbollah, a position supported by the United States.

The outcome of the Washington talks remains uncertain, with significant obstacles including Hezbollah’s refusal to engage directly with Israel and ongoing military tensions. However, both sides appear to acknowledge the urgent need to stabilize the border region and prevent further escalation.