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Israel and Lebanon hold direct peace talks in Washington

On April 15, 2026, representatives from Israel and Lebanon held two-hour direct talks at the U.S. State Department in Washington, facilitated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting involved Israeli Ambassador Yehiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh, who notably did not shake hands before entering the private session. The primary agenda items included a potential ceasefire, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the creation of a framework for a lasting peace agreement. Beirut emphasized the need for a ceasefire and the return of displaced persons, while Israel highlighted the importance of border security and potentially establishing clear, demarcated boundaries. Hezbollah has publicly opposed the negotiations, labeling them futile, while reports suggest Israel may have proposed a zone-based control strategy in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, a coalition of 18 nations, including Greece and Cyprus, issued a joint statement urging both sides to seize this opportunity for diplomatic resolution. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths and the displacement of more than one million people in Lebanon since March 2026.

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