Lebanon and Israel Hold Rare Direct Talks in Washington to Extend Hezbollah Ceasefire; First in Three Decades

Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter met in Washington on April 23 for their second session of direct talks — described by analysts as the first substantive direct bilateral talks between Lebanon and Israel in three decades. The talks, brokered by the US State Department, center on extending the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire (which began April 17 and was due to expire around April 26) and halting Israeli demolitions of homes and structures in southern Lebanese villages. Lebanon's conditions include full Israeli withdrawal south of the Litani River and a firm implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed active contacts to extend the truce. PM Nawaf Salam said any permanent deal requires 'full withdrawal.' Hezbollah was not a direct party to the Washington talks — a structural challenge the US is attempting to manage through Beirut. Washington Post and RTÉ News confirmed the second session took place, noting both sides are under pressure to prevent ceasefire collapse. Israeli airstrikes that killed journalist Amal Khalil the same day complicated the atmosphere, but both sides confirmed the talks continued.