Israel and Lebanon prepare for US-mediated talks amid ongoing hostilities

Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to meet in Washington on Thursday for talks mediated by U.S. officials. The meeting occurs shortly before the May 17 expiration of a ceasefire that began on April 17 but has failed to halt ongoing violence. Lebanese health authorities report that 12 to 22 people were killed in recent Israeli strikes across various locations, including children. Israel continues to target what it describes as Hezbollah infrastructure, while the Lebanese government seeks to prioritize the stabilization of the ceasefire and its territorial sovereignty. Since the truce began, Lebanese officials report over 400 deaths and significant damage to more than 10,000 properties. Iran has stated that any regional agreement is contingent upon an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel maintains its right to target Hezbollah, whose elite Radwan force commander was recently reported killed in a strike in Beirut's southern suburbs.