U.S. to host Lebanon talks

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting Israel and Lebanon’s ambassadors to the U.S. today in Washington, the highest-level discussions between the two countries since the 1990s and a potential prelude to a formal peace deal for ending the state of war that has existed between them since 1948. The talks, coming under pressure from the U.S., are taking place while Israel is attacking Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese government’s apparent tacit blessing. The Lebanese government has also issued its first official declaration that Hezbollah’s military activity is illegal and condemned its attacks. It has conducted arrests of terrorists and is expelling Iranian personnel linked to Hezbollah. Israel, bowing to pressure from America, may hope that the current government could be a partner for peace. But Bible prophecy indicates that such deals will set Israel up for a double-cross.