US mediating push for Netanyahu-Aoun summit as Israel official says ‘we cannot wait indefinitely’
Smoke rises in Lebanon following an Israeli strike. Photo: Reuters
Israel has set a two-week deadline for reaching an agreement with Lebanon during their US-mediated negotiations, warning of renewed military escalation if talks fail, according to Israeli media on Wednesday.
The public broadcaster KAN said Tel Aviv has established a “limited timeframe” for the talks, not exceeding two weeks, in a bid to secure what it described as a “real agreement” between the two sides. The outlet said Israel has linked the current ceasefire arrangement – extended until mid-May – to reaching a substantive deal with Lebanon within that period.
“We cannot wait indefinitely… we will give negotiations only an additional two weeks,” KAN said, citing an unnamed Israeli official.
Read: Israel warns civilians against returning to southern Lebanon despite ceasefire
According to the broadcaster, Israeli assessments indicate that failure to achieve tangible progress within this timeframe could lead to a resumption of fighting and the launch of intensified military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
KAN said the United States administration is leading efforts to arrange a direct meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun within the two-week period, despite significant doubts among the parties about the possibility of holding such a high-level summit.
Trump first announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on April 17, before saying Thursday it would be extended by three weeks.
According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 2,534 people, wounded 7,863 others, and displaced more than 1.6 million people.
