A new round of high-stakes ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is scheduled to take place this Thursday, April 23, in Washington, according to reports from Reuters.
An Israeli source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed on Monday that officials from both nations will convene in the U.S. capital. This marks the first significant diplomatic contact since a 10-day ceasefire took effect last week. Israel will be represented at the talks by its Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter.
Diplomatic Pressure for Extension
The scheduled talks come as U.S. officials intensify efforts to secure an extension of the current truce. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that Washington is pushing aggressively for a prolonged cessation of hostilities. While Berri acknowledged the pressure, he declined to confirm whether he supports the opening of direct negotiations with Israel—a possibility reportedly being considered by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese television network MTV reported that the timing of President Aoun’s visit to Washington remains contingent on developments over the coming days, specifically whether a formal extension of the ceasefire is reached over the weekend.
Bilateral Protocols and Maritime Disputes
Internal diplomatic maneuvering remains complex. Sources indicate that the Lebanese delegation is insisting that any meeting between President Aoun and U.S. President Donald Trump remain strictly bilateral, explicitly excluding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from that specific session.
Amidst these diplomatic preparations, Lebanese Energy Minister Joe Sadi addressed concerns regarding a map recently released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The map illustrates an “advanced maritime defense zone” extending from the Lebanese coast. Sadi clarified to Reuters that this military designation does not undermine the landmark 2022 maritime border agreement between the two states.
“From a legal perspective, this map changes nothing regarding the fact that a maritime delimitation agreement exists,” Sadi stated. “The agreement remains in force and nothing has changed.”
The upcoming Thursday meeting is viewed by international observers as a critical juncture for regional stability, as mediators attempt to transition the current temporary pause into a more durable security arrangement.
