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🇱🇧 Lebanon /Elections & Politics

Israel-Lebanon talks extended another day amid ongoing negotiations

From Naharnet · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon, aimed at reaching a definitive end to hostilities, have been extended for an additional day.
  • The fifth round of discussions, which began this week, will resume Friday morning after delegations failed to reach an agreement on Thursday despite 10 hours of meetings.
  • Disagreements persist over the nature of the agreement, with Lebanon seeking a "declaration of intent" and Israel demanding an "agreement," while contentious points include the timetable for withdrawal and the role of the Lebanese Army in security zones.

Mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by the United States, will continue for an additional day as negotiators strive to reach a definitive end to the ongoing hostilities. The fifth round of discussions, which commenced earlier this week, is scheduled to resume Friday morning, Washington time, after the delegations failed to secure an agreement on Thursday despite extensive negotiations lasting 10 hours.

Israel and Lebanon talks remain ongoing as we continue to facilitate

— U.S. State DepartmentThe State Department confirmed the extension of the U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon.

The U.S. State Department confirmed the talks remain ongoing, stating, "Israel and Lebanon talks remain ongoing as we continue to facilitate." These negotiations occur against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, an offshoot of the broader conflict that the United States and Iran are attempting to resolve.

The Lebanese delegation wants a 'declaration of intent' while the Israeli delegation wants an 'agreement'

— Al-Jadeed TVThe Lebanese television station reported on the differing objectives of the two delegations in the negotiations.

Reports indicate significant sticking points remain. Al-Jadeed TV reported that the Lebanese delegation is seeking a "declaration of intent," while the Israeli delegation insists on an "agreement." MTV highlighted Israeli "evasion" regarding a withdrawal timetable and noted that Israel is imposing "very difficult conditions for withdrawal." More than 10 proposals for pilot zones, areas from which Israeli forces would withdraw and be replaced by the Lebanese Army, were submitted by the Lebanese and U.S. sides but were not approved by Israel. Israel's condition is that the Lebanese Army must operate in areas outside the occupation zone, both south and north of the Litani River.

there is Israeli evasion in the Lebanese-Israeli negotiation sessions regarding any discussion of a timetable for withdrawal, and Israel is setting very difficult conditions for withdrawal

— MTVThe Lebanese news outlet reported on perceived Israeli reluctance to commit to a withdrawal timeline and the conditions being set.

While the Lebanese and Israeli military delegations discussed a security annex, many points remain contentious regarding wording and content. Specifically, linking withdrawal to complete disarmament is a major hurdle. However, MTV noted that agreement has been reached on other points within the annex.

More than 10 proposals for pilot zones submitted by the Lebanese delegation and the U.S. side did not gain the approval of the Israelis, who insist that the Lebanese Army must operate in areas outside the occupation zone south and north of the Litani River

— MTVMTV detailed the Israeli rejection of proposals for Israeli withdrawal from specific zones.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Naharnet in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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