Washington hosts third Lebanon-Israel talks as border fighting persists

A two-day round of direct talks in Washington aims to secure a new ceasefire and a security framework between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah is not part of the talks, and Lebanon seeks a disarmament-linked path and withdrawal of Israeli forces, while Israel pushes for Hezbollah's disarmament and potential normalization. Despite the discussions, cross-border clashes continue under a U.S.-brokered truce that has reduced but not stopped fighting, including Hezbollah drone activity and Israeli airstrikes with civilian casualties.