The fifth round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon has begun in Washington, under U.S. auspices, according to Abu Ali Express. The talks are expected to address both diplomatic and military tracks, including the IDF withdrawal timeline and Hezbollah disarmament.
The fifth round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon opened in Washington on Tuesday evening under U.S. auspices, according to Abu Ali Express. The session follows a day of diplomatic activity: as The Zioneer reported earlier Tuesday, the talks proceed simultaneously on diplomatic and military tracks. A Lebanese source told Al-Mayadeen on June 13 that the round was expected to open on June 22, with military officers included in the Lebanese delegation. The talks are seen as the most advanced effort to convert the November 2024 ceasefire into a permanent arrangement.
By Tuesday, the Israeli Embassy confirmed the round had officially begun at the State Department. The diplomatic track is led by Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and the military track by IDF Strategic Division head Amichai Levin, as The Zioneer reported. A central dispute remains over the pilot zone for Lebanese army deployment: Lebanon wants it to start in areas where the IDF is still present, while Israel prefers areas where it is not. A Lebanese source told Al-Mayadeen on June 13 the round would include military officers, and on June 18, Lebanese sources told Al-Hadath the round would address a timetable for Israel's withdrawal from a designated pilot zone and stressed there is no going back on disarming Hezbollah.
President Isaac Herzog emphasized on Monday that Hezbollah's disarmament must be an inseparable part of any solution, as The Zioneer reported. Saudi outlet Al-Hadath described the atmosphere as improved in recent weeks, though substantive gaps remain.
No details on the session's duration or expected outcomes have been released beyond a three-day schedule. The U.S. serves as the primary mediator.
8 developments
- DevelopingReport: Fifth round of Lebanon-Israel border talks to open in Washington on June 22
- StrongLebanese sources: fifth round of Israel-Lebanon talks set for June 23, focus on permanent ceasefire
- DevelopingUS, France and Lebanon push for Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah redeployment talks
- StrongPresident Herzog: Israel-Lebanon talks resume Monday in Washington; Hezbollah disarmament must be part of any deal
Source and signal
- Internal intake