US envoy says Lebanon-Israel talks at ‘point of no return,’ moving in right direction

US Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa declared on Monday that negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are moving “in the right direction” and have reached a “point of no return.” Speaking after talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Issa said: “It is very important for an official to choose what he wants and move forward with it, especially if it is the only choice to end a painful and harsh situation like the one Lebanon is experiencing.” A presidential statement said Aoun and Issa discussed the course of US-mediated negotiations and efforts to end Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Resumption of talks

Issa said negotiations are expected to resume in Washington, praising the Lebanese negotiating team as “highly professional” and “effective.” Lebanon and Israel have held four rounds of negotiations in Washington since April, aiming to end Israeli attacks and secure Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The envoy described the recent exchange of airstrikes between Iran and Israel as a “political message,” but added: “We believe we are on the right track.” He cautioned that negotiations may take time, but their continuation has a positive impact on Lebanon and the region.

Humanitarian toll

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 3,600 people, injured over 11,000, and displaced more than 1.6 million since March 2. The region has been on edge since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, triggering Iranian retaliation. A temporary ceasefire was reached on April 8, but negotiations later stalled.