US-Mediated Israel–Lebanon Talks Continue

(MENAFN) A third phase of US-facilitated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon concluded on Thursday after an extensive day of discussions held at the State Department, with both sides agreeing to resume talks on Friday, according to a senior official from the State Department speaking to a media outlet.

“We had a full day of productive and positive talks that lasted from 9 am to 5 pm. We look forward to continuing this tomorrow and hope to have more to share then,” the official said.

The diplomatic discussions took place while fatalities from ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon kept increasing, despite a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on April 17 and was later prolonged until May 17.

A State Department representative informed the media outlet that the United States delegation included State Department Counselor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

On the Lebanese side, the delegation was composed of Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and presidential special envoy Simon Karam, the official added. Israel’s representation included Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Deputy National Security Advisor Yossi Draznin, along with senior military officials.

Earlier on Thursday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in the southern Lebanese town of Srifa in the Tyre district, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, according to a news agency.

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