A second round of U.S-mediated preparatory talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials is set to take place later on Thursday, as diplomatic efforts continue to build on a fragile ceasefire and lay the groundwork for broader negotiations.

The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Washington time (11 p.m. Beirut time) and will include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, adviser Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, alongside the Lebanese and Israeli envoys to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad and Yechiel Leiter.

According to information reported by Voice of Lebanon radio, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has instructed Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington to focus on three key priorities during the discussions.

These include a request to extend the current ceasefire for a period ranging between 20 and 40 days, to halt the demolition and destruction of homes—particularly in villages and areas where Israeli forces are present—and a call to stop attacks against civilians, including residents, paramedics and journalists, as well as what Beirut describes as violations of international law.

The same sources said that if these conditions are met and compliance is confirmed, discussions would then move forward to determining the timing and framework of formal negotiations between the two sides.

They added that the Lebanese position was further reinforced following an incident in the southern village of al-Tiri, where two journalists were targeted the previous day, prompting Beirut to tighten its emphasis on protections for civilians and media personnel in conflict areas.