Israel and Lebanon are set to hold new talks on Thursday amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. The meeting, initiated by the U.S. State Department, will bring together ambassadors from both sides. According to reports, this will be a preliminary meeting rather than a formal peace negotiation. The main objective is to assess whether the recently implemented ceasefire, which began last Friday and is due to expire on Sunday, can be extended.

Hezbollah has criticized the planned talks, calling them humiliating and an unnecessary concession to Israel. The group argues that Lebanon’s government has limited diplomatic influence in the process and accuses Israel of using the talks to pressure Hezbollah into disarmament. Hezbollah also believes Lebanon’s position would be stronger if the discussions were linked to broader regional diplomacy involving Iran.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has responded by appointing a representative for the talks and clarified that only the government will officially represent Lebanon in the discussions.