Israeli and Lebanese representatives are moving closer to launching direct negotiations, with diplomatic sources pointing to meaningful progress and a possible extension of the current ceasefire as discussions intensify.

A second preparatory meeting between Israeli and Lebanese officials is expected to take place as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to a report by MTV Lebanon. The session is part of ongoing efforts to pave the way for formal, face-to-face negotiations between the two countries.

The upcoming meeting follows an earlier round of talks held in Washington, which included the participation of both nations’ ambassadors and was viewed as an unusual and notable step in relations between Israel and Lebanon. The next round is expected to focus on finalizing preliminary understandings, including setting a specific date and location for the start of direct negotiations.

At the same time, one of the key issues on the agenda will be whether to extend the current ceasefire between the two sides.

Officials involved in the process say the United States is pushing for a continuation of the temporary truce, with proposals ranging from an additional 10 days to as long as a month. The goal is to allow diplomatic efforts to proceed without a renewed escalation in hostilities.

In parallel, discussions are also taking place behind the scenes regarding a possible diplomatic development: a visit by Lebanon’s president to Washington as part of coordinated political talks. However, sources caution that the prospect of a direct meeting between him and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu remains distant and is currently viewed as highly sensitive from both a political and security standpoint.

{Matzav.com}