Delegations from Israel and Lebanon agreed to continue negotiations after what officials described as a “productive” round of talks in Washington, raising cautious hopes for de-escalation along their tense border.
The discussions, facilitated by the United States, focused on reducing cross-border hostilities and addressing longstanding security concerns, according to people familiar with the meeting.
While no formal agreement was announced, both sides signaled willingness to keep diplomatic channels open. U.S. officials said additional sessions would be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have intensified in recent months amid broader regional instability, with sporadic exchanges of fire along the frontier raising fears of a wider conflict.
Participants in the Washington talks explored mechanisms to prevent further escalation, including confidence-building measures and communication channels aimed at avoiding miscalculation.
Analysts cautioned that significant obstacles remain, citing deep political divisions and the influence of armed groups operating in southern Lebanon.
Still, the decision to extend talks marks a rare moment of engagement between the two sides, who do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.
The United States said it would continue to support efforts to ease tensions, describing dialogue as the only viable path to stability in the region.
