Lebanon will seek an extension of the ongoing ceasefire and urge Israel to halt demolition operations in southern Lebanon during upcoming talks in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday.
According to Lebanon’s national media, President Aoun said Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Mouawad will represent Beirut at a U.S. State Department meeting, where she is expected to raise the issue of extending the ceasefire agreement.
He emphasized that Lebanon would make no concessions, compromises, or surrender in the negotiations, stating that any steps taken would strictly serve Lebanese sovereignty and the interests of its citizens.
Aoun further stressed that negotiation remains the only viable path forward, arguing that past experiences have shown that war results in loss of life, destruction, and displacement.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel and Lebanon do not have major differences, but accused Hezbollah of obstructing peace and normalization efforts between the two countries. He urged the Lebanese government to cooperate against what he termed a “terrorist state” established by Hezbollah on Lebanese territory.
Separately, national media reported that one person was killed and two others injured overnight Tuesday into Wednesday in an Israeli drone strike on the outskirts of Al Jabour area in Lebanon’s Western Bekaa region.
In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces reportedly continued shelling towns and demolishing residential structures, despite a 10-day ceasefire that came into effect on April 16 following a U.S.-brokered agreement aimed at halting escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
The developments come as diplomatic engagements continue in Washington, where Israeli and Lebanese officials recently held talks outlining differing expectations for a potential peace framework. Israel has called for the disarmament of Hezbollah, while Lebanon has demanded a sustained ceasefire and measures to address the humanitarian situation. A further round of talks is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Washington.