US hosts Lebanon-Israel talks as Sunday deadline looms

The United States will host a second meeting between Lebanese and Israeli envoys in Washington on Thursday, as Beirut pushes to extend a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that is set to expire on Sunday. The talks come just one day after Israeli strikes killed at least five people in Lebanon, including journalist Amal Khalil, marking the deadliest day since the ceasefire took effect on April 16. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to attend the meeting, where Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Moawad will seek a ceasefire extension and a halt to Israeli demolitions in southern Lebanese villages. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's envoy will also push for Israeli troop withdrawal, the return of Lebanese detainees held in Israel, and a delineation of the land border. Israel, represented by its ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, has said its objectives include securing the dismantlement of Hezbollah and creating conditions for a peace deal. Israel is currently occupying a belt of southern Lebanon extending 5 to 10 kilometers, saying it aims to shield northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks, which have included hundreds of rockets during the conflict. Nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel went on the offensive in response to Hezbollah's March 2 attack, according to Lebanese authorities. Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States, says it has "the right to resist" what it calls occupying forces, and has carried out multiple operations in response to Israeli strikes. The Iran-backed group claims the Lebanon ceasefire resulted from Iranian pressure rather than U.S. mediation. Lebanon has opened direct contacts with Israel despite strong objections from Hezbollah, which was established by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982.