Israel won't discuss Hezbollah truce in talks with Beirut, indicates more attacks on Lebanon

Israel said Friday it will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah when it holds talks with Lebanon's government next week in Washington.

The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors spoke to set up the talks that will open Tuesday at the State Department.

Israel "agreed to begin formal peace negotiations" with the Lebanese government, with which it has no diplomatic relations, said the Israeli ambassador, Yechiel Leiter.

"Israel refused to discuss a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which continues to attack Israel and is the main obstacle to peace between the two countries," he said in a statement.

Israel ramped up strikes and a ground invasion of Lebanon in March, after Hezbollah resumed firing back at Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Without a ceasefire with Hezbollah, the talks would center on Israel seeking actions from the Lebanese government, which has for years struggled to rein in Hezbollah but has been stepping up its efforts.

Israel has said that a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which will hold talks starting Saturday in Islamabad, does not cover Lebanon.

Israel's attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 1,950 people since early March, including more than 350 people killed on Wednesday alone, the first full day of the US-Iran ceasefire.

A ceasefire came into force between Israel and Hezbollah in late 2024, however, Israel continued near-daily strikes on Lebanon after the deal.

Israel also continues to occupy areas of southern Lebanon and has refused to withdraw.