Lebanon, Israel to hold new talks in US as ceasefire nears end

Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to hold a new round of peace talks in Washington as their current ceasefire, in place since April 17 and repeatedly extended, nears its expiry. Despite the truce being officially in effect, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 400 people according to Lebanese figures, and on the eve of the talks Israel intensified strikes, killing 22 people including eight children. Lebanese officials say the priority is to consolidate the ceasefire and end the death and destruction, while the United States mediates between the two countries, which have no diplomatic relations. This will be the third round of talks since the conflict escalated, with previous meetings held at the White House where President Donald Trump announced extensions and expressed optimism for a historic agreement.