US facilitates new Israel-Lebanon talks as ceasefire violence continues
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 8
US facilitates new Israel-Lebanon talks as ceasefire violence continues
15 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 8
The State Department said the two-day talks will be held on 14-15 May, days before the current ceasefire expires on 17 May.
The push comes after Lebanon's Health Ministry said 17 people were killed in recent fighting in the south, among the deadliest periods since the mid-April truce began.
Previous US comments said the talks would involve the Israeli and Lebanese governments and focus on a lasting peace and security deal, while Washington stressed backing Beirut against Hezbollah.
Can a Lebanese army kept weak by U.S. policy realistically disarm the powerful, Iran-backed Hezbollah?
With Hezbollah rebuilding and Iran backed by global powers, can these talks truly change Lebanon's fate?
As Washington pushes for disarmament, is Lebanon heading towards peace talks or a devastating new civil war?
May 2026 Israel-Lebanon Talks: Deadlock Over Hezbollah Disarmament and Israeli Withdrawal
Overview
The May 2026 Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington D.C. mark the third round of direct negotiations and the first to include military representatives, focusing on Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah disarmament, and normalization. A deep deadlock persists as Lebanon demands a ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal before talks, while Israel insists on Hezbollah's complete disarmament first. This impasse is worsened by Hezbollah's rejection of negotiations and ongoing rocket attacks, fueling a cycle of violence with Israeli airstrikes causing heavy casualties and displacement. U.S. mediation supports Israeli operations and seeks to strengthen Lebanon's armed forces, but Iran's regional influence and Hezbollah's entrenched power complicate progress, making a breakthrough uncertain.