Lebanese source: third round of Israel talks in Washington next week
Lebanon Israel negotiations May 2026: rights restoration no peace agreement.. and US mediation to de-escalate
An official Lebanese source revealed on Thursday new details about the upcoming negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, confirming that his country is not heading toward signing a peace agreement, but rather toward a path whose maximum is the restoration of rights, amid US efforts to de-escalate in preparation for solidifying the ceasefire.
Washington negotiations.. what is on the table?
The official Lebanese source explained to Al Jazeera that the negotiations will begin next week in Washington with the participation of delegations from both sides, and will address two main tracks: the security and political tracks.
He added that the goal of these two tracks is to address the issues of full withdrawal of Israeli forces, borders, prisoners, the displaced, and reconstruction.
According to the same source, Lebanon is not heading toward signing a peace agreement with Israel, but rather toward a path whose maximum is the restoration of rights in exchange for a non-aggression agreement.
Extending the truce and position on a meeting between Aoun and Netanyahu
The source indicated that the Lebanese presidency is seeking to reach an agreement for a permanent cessation of hostilities between the two sides. He explained that the expected step before May 17 is to extend the truce, with an Israeli commitment to a ceasefire.
In a related context, the source said that the Israeli raid that targeted Beirut’s southern suburb on Wednesday, May 6, constitutes an Israeli message to obstruct the negotiation path.
He added that the Lebanese presidency informed Washington that any meeting now with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could undermine stability efforts.
He pointed to American understanding of the Lebanese position against holding a meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Joseph Aoun at this time, affirming that the Lebanese approach begins with negotiations and ends with an agreement for a permanent cessation of aggression, passing through a full Israeli withdrawal.
Position on the Iranian effort
Regarding Iranian movements, the official Lebanese source said, “The Iranian effort to support Lebanon’s position is appreciated if it leads to a ceasefire.”
He conditioned that any Iranian effort pass through Lebanese constitutional institutions and contribute to implementing the decision to monopolize weapons in the hands of the state.
The source stressed the necessity of ending the task of monopolizing weapons, but said it requires time and necessitates political, social, and economic solutions.
Negotiations and truce violations
It is worth noting that former US President Donald Trump announced on April 24 a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, until the 17th of this month. The Lebanese and Israeli sides held two rounds of talks in Washington on April 14 and 23, paving the way for peace negotiations.
The April 14 talks are considered the first of their kind in 43 years, where the parties agreed on a truce and the start of direct negotiations, the place and time of which would be determined later.
Despite these understandings, Israel and Hezbollah exchange accusations of violating the truce. Israel says its operations target Hezbollah military sites, while Hezbollah announces it is targeting Israeli army positions and settlements in response to Israeli raids.
The clashes have resulted in deaths, injuries, and destruction in various areas on both sides of the border.
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