US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon are “very close” to a commitment of intent that would outline a framework for future relations, following a third day of direct, US-mediated negotiations in Washington. Speaking to journalists during a visit to Bahrain, Rubio described the talks as “very good” and said he hoped the day would build on progress made the previous day. The discussions mark the first time in three decades that the sovereign Lebanese government has engaged directly with Israel, a point Rubio underscored by noting that Washington is negotiating with the elected authorities in Beirut, not with Hezbollah.

Viewed from Washington, the push for a formal declaration serves multiple strategic purposes. According to US officials cited in regional media, the administration is seeking “tangible, concrete steps” that go beyond a mere statement of intent, though significant complications remain and nothing has been finalised. The talks are taking place against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire that came into effect in mid-April, after an Israeli military offensive in southern Lebanon in early March. That offensive was launched in response to attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which the group said were a reaction to the wider US-Iran war.

The military dimension of the arrangement is being directly monitored by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which Rubio said is now coordinating with both the Israeli and Lebanese armed forces. “Every time an incident occurs, we don’t just take reports from the other side. We can see the incident directly and assess and measure what actually happened,” he told reporters. Despite the formal ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued sporadic strikes against what they describe as Hezbollah targets, with a drone attack on Thursday killing three people in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese state news agency. A total of seven people have been killed in such incidents this week.

The broader regional context is shaped by the unresolved US-Iran conflict and its economic repercussions. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have threatened a preliminary agreement to end the US-Iran war and have delayed US-Iranian talks that were expected to address long-standing issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions. Iran’s military leadership has also closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, adding urgency to diplomatic efforts. Rubio’s remarks suggest that Washington views a structured understanding between Israel and Lebanon as a building block for stabilising the northern front, while also creating a channel that bypasses Hezbollah and reinforces Lebanese state sovereignty.

The current round of negotiations is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, though Rubio indicated that a final commitment of intent could come “whether it’s today or in the days to come.” The process, he cautioned, will require time and substantial work. The state of the dossier remains fluid, with US officials pushing for concrete deliverables while acknowledging that significant obstacles persist.