"Israel and Lebanon to Hold Second Round of Talks on April 23, Clashes with Hezbollah Continue"

AP Yonhap News

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The Times of Israel (TOI) reported on April 20 that Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to hold a second round of talks in Washington, D.C., United States, on April 23 (local time). Given that Israel continues to engage in clashes with Hezbollah-a pro-Iranian militant faction in Lebanon-even after the ceasefire took effect on April 17, significant progress in the second round of talks appears unlikely.

TOI, citing U.S. and Israeli officials on the same day, stated, "As with the first round, the second meeting will be held at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., with representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and the United States attending." The report added, "It remains unclear which U.S. officials will participate, including whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended the first round, will be present."

Lebanon has indicated its intention to completely end hostilities with Israel through this second round of talks. At a press conference, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said, "Lebanon faces two choices: to continue a war that leads to humanitarian, social, and economic devastation and violations of sovereignty, or to negotiate to end the war and achieve sustainable stability. I have chosen negotiation. I am hopeful that through these talks, Lebanon can be saved."

He further emphasized that "no other country will participate in this mission with Lebanon, nor is there any country that can replace Lebanon," stressing that the second round of talks with Israel is an independent negotiation, separate from discussions between the United States and Iran. He also outlined Lebanon’s goals: a halt to Israeli military operations, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, and the deployment of government troops to the border area with Israel.

Although the timing of the talks has been set, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue in southern Lebanon. On this day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement, "Several Hezbollah operatives who violated the ceasefire and posed a threat to Israeli forces were eliminated by the air force." Previously, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) also reported that an airstrike near the destroyed bridge in the village of Kakaite Al Jisr along the Litani River left several people injured.

As the gap between the two sides remains unresolved, a complete halt to hostilities is difficult to achieve. CNN pointed out, "The Israeli military is seeking to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to protect its northern region, while Hezbollah continues its resistance, asserting that it has the right to oppose such Israeli occupation."

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