Last Thursday, the US announced a 10-day ceasefire “to enable peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon”. The State Department statement – reportedly agreed to by both governments – marked a significant diplomatic shift. It included an affirmation that “the two countries are not at war”, and a commitment to work towards “full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, as well as “achieving a permanent agreement that ensures lasting security, stability, and peace”.
These are more explicit and far-reaching commitments than the two states have made at any point in their modern history. The announcement followed meetings between the two countries’ ambassadors in Washington under the auspices of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
While the intended end state is now more clearly articulated, the path towards it remains highly complex.
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