Beirut, April 13 -- Israeli forces launched an attack on Monday to seize the key town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon from Hezbollah fighters ahead of the diplomatic talks between Israeli and Lebanese envoys in Washington.
The unusual face-to-face meeting between the countries' ambassadors is set for Tuesday at the U.S. Department of State. Lebanon's Foreign Minister said Beirut would use the talks to press for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, which has complicated broader Middle East diplomacy.
Israel has made clear it will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah, which Lebanon's top Hezbollah-affiliated lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said rejects direct negotiations with Israel. "This move violates the national pact and the constitution...