Lebanon, Israel set for US-mediated talks amid low hopes

Lebanese and Israeli officials are due to meet in Washington on Tuesday for US-brokered talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, though expectations for a meaningful outcome remain low.

The meeting, mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will bring together the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to Washington along with the US ambassador to Beirut. It marks the first high-level direct engagement between the two sides since 1993, according to US officials.

Despite the diplomatic effort, divisions between the two sides remain deep. Israel has made it clear that its primary objective is the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of long-term security along its northern border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated calls for dismantling Hezbollah’s military capabilities and reaching a lasting peace agreement.

On the other side, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that the talks could at least lead to a ceasefire and open the door for further negotiations.

However, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has dismissed the initiative, calling the talks “futile” and urging that they be cancelled before they begin.

The conflict has escalated significantly since early March, when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, drawing Lebanon deeper into the broader regional crisis. Since then, Israeli airstrikes and military operations have caused widespread destruction, including a major strike on Beirut earlier this month that resulted in heavy casualties and mass displacement.

US officials face a complex balancing act, seeking to address Israel’s security concerns while also supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and preventing further regional escalation.

Analysts say the starkly opposing demands - ranging from Hezbollah’s disarmament to calls for an immediate ceasefire -make a quick resolution unlikely.

With both sides holding firm positions, diplomats caution that the Washington meeting may serve more as a starting point for dialogue rather than a breakthrough moment in the conflict.