On June 1, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mediated talks between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to broker a ceasefire.
The proposed initiative requires Hezbollah to cease attacks on Israel while Israel halts military operations in Beirut, including airstrikes. However, negotiations have stalled due to the chairman of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, refusing to advance discussions.
Separately, Israeli officials have requested U.S. approval for expanding Israeli military operations in Beirut following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s order on May 31 to intensify efforts against Hezbollah and report the killing of approximately 700 militants. Since March, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed at least 3,412 civilians in Lebanon.
