Lebanon, US Urge Israel to Halt Strikes Ahead of Washington Talks

Lebanon and the United States have jointly called on Israel to suspend its military operations on Lebanese territory ahead of high-level talks scheduled in Washington next week, according to a report by Axios.

The request, described as a “gesture” to support diplomacy, has been backed by Washington but remains under consideration by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli officials have so far indicated that no formal ceasefire is in place, though discussions around a limited pause in airstrikes are reportedly ongoing.

The planned negotiations, set to take place at the US State Department, are being framed as a significant خطوة toward easing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities. Beirut has stressed that a temporary halt in strikes would help build confidence ahead of the talks.

The situation is further complicated by regional dynamics involving Iran, which maintains that Israel’s actions violate a recently agreed two-week ceasefire. While the United States disputes this interpretation, both Tehran and mediator Pakistan insist the truce includes such provisions.

Israel, however, continues to defend its operations as targeting Hezbollah positions, and has not committed to a broader cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile, Türkiye has reiterated its condemnation of Israeli strikes and called for an immediate end to civilian casualties. Ankara has voiced support for the upcoming talks, while warning that continued military action risks undermining fragile diplomatic efforts.

The Washington meeting comes against the backdrop of parallel US-Iran discussions in Islamabad, as international stakeholders push to contain a conflict that has widened across the Middle East since late February.