WASHINGTON, 15 April. - (ANA) - US-brokered peace talks between Israel and Lebanon took place in Washington yesterday, with the sides holding "productive discussions" on steps towards direct negotiations, the State Department said. Why it matters: The meeting was the first major high-level engagement between the governments of Israel and Lebanon since 1993. 

 

The sides agreed to hold further negotiations, though Israel refused to commit to a ceasefire in Lebanon. It is conducting a wide-ranging ground invasion in the south of the country amid its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah. 

 

The Lebanese militant group strongly opposed the negotiations and said it fired rockets at more than a dozen towns in northern Israel as the meeting got under way. Join our live Q&A about the war on Lebanon today at 6pm UAE time – register now to join live or to receive a recording. -(ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/15 April 2026 - - -