Israel announced on Friday that it will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah during the direct talks scheduled with the Lebanese government next week in Washington.
Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter and his Lebanese counterpart Nada Hamadeh Maqoud held a phone call, during which they agreed to meet on Tuesday at the U.S. State Department.
Leiter stated that Israel has “agreed to begin formal peace negotiations” with the Lebanese government, despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He added in a statement that Israel “refused to discuss a ceasefire with the Hezbollah organization (…) which continues to attack Israel and represents the main obstacle to peace between the two countries.”
Israel launched large-scale strikes on Lebanon and a ground incursion into its south after attacking Iran on February 28, in response to rocket fire by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
If no ceasefire is reached with Hezbollah, the talks are expected to focus on Israel’s demand for action by the Lebanese government, which has long sought to curb the armed Shiite group but has recently intensified its efforts.
Israel also confirmed that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran does not include Lebanon.
According to Axios, citing two informed sources, Lebanon and the United States requested that Israel implement a “temporary pause” in its attacks on Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that the total toll from Israeli strikes since the war with Hezbollah began on March 2 has risen to 1,953 killed and 6,303 injured.
AFP
