Israel-Lebanon Diplomacy Resumes in Washington Amid Fragile Truce

A fourth round of Israeli-Lebanese talks opened at the US State Department on Tuesday, as both sides continued limited exchanges of fire despite a ceasefire announced by President Trump the day before. The two countries, technically at war since 1948, do not maintain diplomatic relations and are represented only at the ambassadorial level.

A senior Lebanese official said the talks would explore “pilot zones” — geographic areas where hostilities would pause, Israeli forces would pull back, and Lebanese troops would deploy — as a step toward a broader ceasefire.

The IDF, citing reduced tensions, eased restrictions along the northern border, reopening schools and beaches and raising indoor gathering limits to 400 people. The relaxed guidelines run through Sunday.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu is concerned Washington may progressively restrict Israel’s military freedom of action in Lebanon. Trump, angered by joint statements from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz threatening strikes on Beirut, reportedly told Netanyahu in a phone call that he was “out of control.” A separate report alleged, however, that Trump had privately agreed to the Beirut threat in advance as a pressure tactic, before growing worried Israel intended to act on it.

Hezbollah said it would not accept a “partial ceasefire” and fired two rockets at Safed overnight, which were intercepted. One Israeli reservist was moderately wounded in a drone strike in southern Lebanon.