Vance and Kushner discuss consolidating Lebanon truce with Lebanese and Qatari leaders

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and presidential advisor Jared Kushner held a joint phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Qatari Prime Minister Mohamed bin Abdulrahman. The discussion focused on efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in Lebanon and curb Israeli advances. According to a statement from the Lebanese Presidency, the officials analyzed necessary measures to strengthen the truce. This included the possibility of establishing a coordination cell to oversee the implementation of agreements and prevent further escalation in the Mediterranean country. The conversation took place within the context of ongoing peace negotiations between Iran and the United States in Switzerland, aimed at implementing a 14-point memorandum signed the previous Wednesday to end the conflict. The situation in Lebanon was identified as a key topic in these negotiations, alongside mechanisms for ceasefire supervision and guarantees for the fulfillment of commitments made by the parties. Separately, bilateral negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to take place in Washington from June 23 to 25, following coordination between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Lebanese president. This new round of contacts occurs amidst a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The truce followed a particularly violent weekend that saw over a hundred people killed by Israeli attacks, despite an understanding memorandum signed between Washington and Tehran that stipulated an immediate cessation of hostilities on the Lebanese front. Lebanon's Civil Defense reported on Monday the recovery of 13 bodies in the southern regions of Nabatieh and Marjayoun, where efforts to reopen roads affected by recent bombings and fighting continued. Lebanese authorities stated on Sunday that the death toll from the Israeli offensive in Lebanon has reached 4,106, with 12,153 wounded.