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

"Second Round of Talks to Be Held in Washington, as in the First"
Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

AP Yonhap News

According to a report by the Times of Israel (TOI) on April 20, Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to hold a second round of talks in Washington, D.C., United States, on the 23rd (local time). However, given that Israel continues to engage in clashes with Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian militant group in Lebanon, even after the ceasefire took effect on the 17th, major progress in the second round of talks is unlikely.

TOI, citing U.S. and Israeli officials, stated, "Like the first meeting, the second round of talks will be held at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., with representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and the United States participating." Regarding the U.S. delegation, TOI added, "Apart from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended the first meeting, there is no information on which U.S. officials will participate this time."

Lebanon maintains its position that it intends to bring a complete end to hostilities with Israel through this second round of talks. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, at a press conference on this day, stated, "Lebanon faces two choices—either continue a war that brings humanitarian, social, and economic devastation and violates our sovereignty, or negotiate to end the war and achieve lasting stability. I have chosen negotiation. I hope that, through these talks, Lebanon can be saved."

He continued, "No other country will participate in this mission with Lebanon, nor can any other country replace Lebanon," emphasizing that the second round of talks with Israel is an independent negotiation, separate from discussions between the United States and Iran. He also set forth objectives including the immediate halt of Israeli military operations, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, and the deployment of government troops along the border with Israel.

Although the schedule for the talks between the two sides has been set, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue in southern Lebanon. On this day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement that "the air force has eliminated several Hezbollah operatives who violated the ceasefire and posed a threat to our troops." Previously, Lebanon’s state news agency (NNA) also reported that several people were injured in an airstrike near a destroyed bridge in the village of Kakaite al-Jisr along the Litani River.

With the gap between the two sides’ positions remaining wide, a halt to the hostilities appears unlikely. CNN pointed out, "The Israeli military is trying to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon to protect its northern region, but Hezbollah continues its resistance, asserting its right to oppose this Israeli occupation."

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