US is pushing Israel to withdraw ahead of new talks: Lebanese official | Israel attacks Lebanon News

Talks between Lebanese and Israeli delegations will be held in Washington, DC, next week, the official told Al Jazeera.

The United States is trying to limit Israel’s actions in Lebanon as it seeks to strengthen ongoing cooperation and move to the next phase of negotiations between the two sides, according to a senior Lebanese official.

The official, who spoke to Al Jazeera Arabic on the condition of anonymity, revealed on Thursday the details of the second round of talks between Israel and Lebanon after the first round in Washington, DC, in mid-April, which led to the current ceasefire being announced but protests continue.

The delegation’s talks will begin on May 17 in the US capital, the official said, adding that the talks will discuss security and political issues to solve the problem of Israel’s complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon, borders, prisoners, refugees and reconstruction.

Reuters and AFP news agencies, both of which quoted an unnamed government official on Thursday, said the next round of talks is scheduled to take place on May 14 and 15.

Israel continued its offensive in southern Lebanon on Thursday, killing one person and injuring several others, according to Lebanese media, a day later. direct Commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force south of Beirut.

The strike threatened Lebanon to stop fighting, which has also been seen alongside the US-Iran alliance in a major conflict in the Middle East. The cessation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon is a key priority for Iran in Tehran’s negotiations with Washington.

No peace treaty: Officials

A Lebanese official told Al Jazeera that the country’s president wants to negotiate a final ceasefire with Israel.

The expected step before May 17 is to increase cooperation and Israel’s commitment to end the war, the official said, adding that the recent attacks have been carried out. Areas south of Beirut it was Israel’s message to prevent negotiations.

Lebanon does not want to sign a peace agreement but is moving towards a neutral agreement, said the official.

The ceasefire in Lebanon, announced on April 16 by US President Donald Trump, has led to a reduction in violence. The Beirut area, for example, had been untouched by Israel for weeks before Wednesday’s attack.

However, since it took effect, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged accusations of ceasefire violations in some areas, particularly in southern Lebanon.

More than 2,700 people have been killed in the fighting in Lebanon since March 2, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said. About 1.2 million people have been driven from their homes in Lebanon, most of them fleeing southern Lebanon.

Israel has announced that 17 soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon along with two civilians in northern Israel.