Significant progress has been reported in talks between Israel and Lebanon held in Washington under the chairmanship of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with both sides agreeing to begin direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and place, seen as a positive step toward regional peace.
According to the US State Department, there is hope that the negotiations could lead to a peace agreement, while Israel has expressed its commitment to direct dialogue to resolve outstanding issues and achieve lasting peace.
The statement further noted that Israel has pledged to work with Lebanon to disarm non-state armed groups, while Lebanon has called for a ceasefire and immediate measures to address the humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains tense, as Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue, with reports of at least 35 people killed in the past 24 hours, underscoring the severity of the conflict despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
