Israel holding 'stubborn talks' with U.S. on Lebanon pullback, top official says
Israel and Lebanon are conducting their first direct discussions in the US since 1993. These efforts face obstacles due to Hezbollah's rejection and Lebanese demands for a ceasefire. A potential long-term peace deal between the US and Iran may rely on an agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
What changed
Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon have begun in the US for the first time since 1993.
Live updates
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Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks in US since 1993
confidence 70%Israel and Lebanon are conducting their first direct discussions in the US since 1993. These efforts face obstacles due to Hezbollah's rejection and Lebanese demands for a ceasefire. A potential long-term peace deal between the US and Iran may rely on an agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Still unconfirmed:
- Lebanon will only participate in talks if a ceasefire is in place
- Hezbollah's rejection threatens the US-brokered effort
- A long-term US-Iran peace deal may depend on a separate agreement between Israel and Lebanon
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Israel and US engage in stubborn talks over Lebanon troop deployment
confidence 80%Israel is negotiating with the United States regarding the continued presence of its military in southern Lebanon. A senior Israeli official described these talks as stubborn and stated Israel will not yield its positions. Iran has tied a ceasefire in Lebanon to its own negotiations with the US.
What's confirmed:
- Israel is conducting stubborn negotiations with the US over troop deployment in southern Lebanon.
- A senior Israeli official stated that Israel refuses to back down on its positions regarding these deployments.
Still unconfirmed:
- Iran has made a ceasefire in Lebanon a key condition in negotiations with the US.
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Israel and U.S. engage in stubborn talks over southern Lebanon troop presence
confidence 90%Israel is negotiating with the United States to maintain military forces in southern Lebanon. These discussions follow a deal between the U.S. and Iran to end the war. An Israeli official stated the country will not back down on its positions.
What's confirmed:
- Israel is negotiating with the United States to keep troops deployed in southern Lebanon.
- The U.S. and Iran signed an agreement to end the war including in Lebanon.
- Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the U.S.-Iran agreement.
Still unconfirmed:
- Drone strikes near Nabatieh killed three people.
- An Israeli official said Israel would not back down on its positions.
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Israel and U.S. Engage in Stubborn Talks Over Lebanon Troop Deployment
confidence 90%Israel is negotiating with Washington to maintain military forces in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-Iran pact. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will not leave occupied land in Lebanon or Syria. New direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled for June 22-25.
What's confirmed:
- Israel is conducting negotiations with the United States to keep troops in southern Lebanon.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will not leave occupied land in Lebanon and Syria.
- The Israeli military is operating in southern Lebanon and has published an updated map of its security zone.
- An interim U.S.-Iran agreement affirms a commitment to Lebanon's territorial integrity.
- Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon are set for June 22-25.
- U.S.-Iran talks have been postponed as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah reignites.
Still unconfirmed:
- A senior Israeli official described the negotiations with Washington as stubborn.
- Iran insists that Israel must withdraw from the large swath of southern Lebanon occupied since March.
- The U.S. is trying to extend a truce through talks in Washington led by envoy Yechiel Leiter.