Lebanon-Israel negotiations: another 'historic' moment in Washington
«Historic». The word was found in almost all speeches delivered Thursday evening (overnight in Lebanon) in Washington, on the sidelines of the second round of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, under American patronage. These talks were held this time at the White House and no longer at the State Department, and what's more, in the presence of the American president himself, Donald Trump, which gave a whole new dimension to the event.
Lebanon was once again represented by its ambassador Nada Moawad. In addition to Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, several American politicians were present: Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (of Lebanese origin), US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee.
The main demands conveyed by the Lebanese ambassador, as expected, were the extension of the 60-day ceasefire, the cessation of house demolitions, and the end of Israeli aggressions in the south of the country. It was Donald Trump himself who announced the extension of the ceasefire on his social network Truth Social, writing that the new deadline is «THREE WEEKS», in capital letters to emphasize that it is an achievement. Three weeks then (instead of the expected 60 days), starting from Sunday, which should have been the deadline for the ceasefire that came into effect on April 16 at midnight.
Statements were particularly enthusiastic after the meeting, ranging from JD Vance's «major historic moment» to Marco Rubio's comments on «two countries that want to be at peace». Michel Issa thanked Donald Trump for «a historic moment that brings two countries closer that have never been side by side». The same for Nada Moawad who thanked Donald Trump for making this event «a historic moment» by his presence, hoping that with his support, Lebanon could regain its greatness.
Accusations against Hezbollah were not lacking, particularly from Mike Huckabee, for whom the problem «is not Lebanon, not Israel, but Hezbollah». Marco Rubio insisted that Lebanon and Israel are «both victims of the same terrorist organization». Donald Trump himself promised that the United States would continue to «protect Lebanon against Hezbollah», assuring that the Iranian sponsor should stop financing its proxy in Lebanon.
The novelty, Thursday evening, is that the American president announced that the cessation of this financing (Iranian to Hezbollah) is an «essential» condition in the conclusion of an agreement on the other negotiating table, that between Iran and the United States.
Beyond this new round of negotiations, Donald Trump again showed optimism about the conclusion of an agreement between Lebanon and Israel «as early as this year». He mentioned the need for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House «in the coming weeks», an eventuality that the former continues to rule out for obvious reasons linked to internal Lebanese dissensions and the abuses committed by the Israeli army in Lebanese territory, as well as the uncertainty about the outcome of these negotiations, many believing that such a meeting should take place after a possible agreement and not beforehand.
On the ground in South Lebanon, fighting continues at the same pace despite the ceasefire and its extension, as if the two belligerents were unconcerned by peace efforts. The night from Thursday to Friday and the day of Friday were particularly agitated and deadly in the South. While Israel continues its systematic demolition of houses in villages and its bombings, Hezbollah intensified its operations against northern Israel and troop gatherings in the South, making it a point of honor to multiply communiqués on its operations at the same time as the negotiations it rejects were taking place in Washington.
The rhetoric has not calmed down either, as Hezbollah bloc leader Mohammad Raad called on the state to withdraw from negotiations that, according to him, only serve to cover Israeli aggressions, while MP Ali Fayad from the same bloc decreed that the ceasefire is meaningless given continuous Israeli aggressions.
Aoun at the European summit in Cyprus
The other political news this Friday is the participation of the Lebanese president in the European summit taking place in Cyprus. A summit that also brings together other Arab leaders, notably Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Syrian President Ahmad el-Chareh, alongside the leaders of the Twenty-Seven. The explosive situation in Lebanon and negotiations with Israel were on the agenda.
A notable statement was that of Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, who mentioned a discussion about the possibility of deploying European forces when the mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends in December 2026, believing that the Lebanese army would need support to disarm Hezbollah and extend its sovereignty over the country. The President of the European Council, for his part, promised «support for Lebanon with a view to disarming Hezbollah».
President Aoun's discussions included French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He declared that «Lebanon is negotiating on its own behalf» and «refuses to be a card in anyone's hands». He added that the country «is at a crossroads and the choices it will make will impact regional stability». Joseph Aoun also considered that «this stage is not just a test, it is also an opportunity». In other words, he reaffirmed the negotiation process and the state's monopoly on weapons, receiving clear support for his approach.
Araghchi in Pakistan
Regarding negotiations between the United States and Iran, which have been blocked since Wednesday when President Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely, the development this Friday was the announcement of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to Islamabad. In the afternoon, Pakistan announced that a new American delegation was expected the same day.
However, shortly after, a Pakistani official told the Saudi channel al-Hadath that «Araghchi specified that his trip to Islamabad has the sole objective of talks with his Pakistani counterparts, not negotiations with the American side». Pakistani officials nevertheless expect a «breakthrough» in negotiations following this visit, according to the same channel. However, a return to the negotiating table remains more uncertain than ever.
Meanwhile, tension remains palpable on the ground and the sounds of war are heard. According to Axios, Iran has reportedly planted additional mines in the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that the United States «still has its hand on the trigger». Another sign of a possible escalation is the deployment of more than 4,000 American soldiers to the region, according to the Washington Post.
What scenario should be expected in the near future? An escalation or a still improbable deal? Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, for his part, has no doubt: he declared Friday that Israel is awaiting the American green light for a new attack against Iran, which would be «decisive».