The fifth round of Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington dominated the day, with editors tracking its stumbles. Morning reports noted a new diplomatic push and a paper said to end the war, but by midday PM Salam issued an ultimatum: no negotiation on Taif and Hezbollah must honor commitments. Israeli Defense Minister Katz insisted on no withdrawal even if the US asked. Afternoon headlines revealed the talks stalled over 'pilot zones'—experimental areas for ceasefire arrangements—while Israel dug in, with Netanyahu declaring a security belt. Evening reports spoke of agreement on extending the ceasefire and creating the zones, but also of deadlock and Israeli strikes on suspected Hezbollah militants. Throughout, Hezbollah's Qassem framed the moment as a phase of breaking the Israeli project, and Kataeb rejected linking Lebanon to Iran.
