The parties also announced that zones would be created without the presence of Hezbollah, and that only the Lebanese army would take control of the area.
Conditions for resuming the truce
Israel demands the disarmament of Hezbollah
Israel stressed that achieving lasting peace will only be possible by “disarming Hezbollah and dismantling its infrastructure throughout Lebanon.” Beirut, on the other hand, announced the expansion of the potential of its own army — with the help of the United States — so as to be able to exercise “effective control over the entire territory of the country.”
The participants of the talks also opposed Iranian attacks targeting countries in the region and actions destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. The next meeting – covering political and security issues – is scheduled for June 22.
Escalation before talks in Washington
The announcement was made two days after the escalation, which could have ruined the entire diplomatic process. On June 1, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decided to attack Dahiya, the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut, considered a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli military ordered residents of the district to evacuate, and civilians began to flee en masse.
Ceasefire violations by Hezbollah and Israel
Hezbollah, which receives support from Tehran, remains outside the control of the Lebanese government. The organization joined the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran, siding with Tehran. Israel responded with an extensive military operation, taking over the southern part of Lebanon and establishing – in its own terminology – a buffer zone there. A truce negotiated by the United States has been formally in force in Lebanon since April 16, but both sides accuse each other of violating it and exchange fire almost every day.
