Currently, diplomatic efforts are running parallel to ongoing violence. In mid-April in Washington, historic talks between Israel and Lebanon took place for the first time since 1993. Officially, the two nations have been at war since 1948. But at the same time, fighting is continuing in southern Lebanon, as it has done to various degrees for decades. Members of the military wing of local group, Hezbollah , — which considers Israel an enemy and which has strong support in southern Lebanon —