Hopes for Middle East peace grow with Israel and Lebanon eyeing ceasefire - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxQQXVmVU9ETm1kemwxNHVYUml5dHFGM3UwT09lNVVUZ2R3MmM2dlVfNC1Vc1BkZVNSR0lXaFBmRlUtRWdmWFU0RXVMZFFLS3ZibzExQWVhNmRaTldVNW5RbU1yRW9iYVRzbXRGSUhQakZkYjdzTEF3ejRPQ1RtQ1llYm11RlFVQXNXMHJRM2ZGUGw2RWc5Rl9XWXZNZGE3VXNGeTRxWlRDUU9oM2M3SXRrVUt0U2xOSlpCYkE?oc=5" target="_blank">Hopes for Middle East peace grow with Israel and Lebanon eyeing ceasefire</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Lebanon and Israel are holding their first direct talks in decades, prompted by a violent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah following the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Lebanon’s reformist government, which took power in 2025, has moved to disarm Hezbollah and separate Lebanon's interests from Iran's, offering direct negotiations with Israel in exchange for peace. This initiative was initially ignored until international developments, particularly talks between Iran and the U.S. brokered by Pakistan, shifted the dynamic. After a deadly Israeli bombing campaign in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to direct talks. The initial meeting in Washington involved Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors with U.S. mediation but resulted in no ceasefire. Lebanon aims for a truce, Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, and increased military funding to regain sovereignty. Israel, however, centers the talks on disarming Hezbollah. Historically, Lebanon-Israel talks have resulted in limited or revoked agreements, including failed peace attempts in 1983 and the short-lived maritime border deal of 2022. As formal negotiations proceed without a set timeline, this new effort represents both a fragile opportunity and a reflection of long-standing regional complexities.

Israel and Lebanon are due to hold their first direct diplomatic talks in decades today amid fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel’s ongoing bombardment and ground operations have threatened to derail the current Iran war ceasefire, as parties disagreed on whether the truce extended to Lebanon. Israel says its invasion of Lebanon is a response not only to Hezbollah attacks but also to the Lebanese government’s failure to execute its own plan to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon’s government called for a ceasefire ahead of talks and for the country’s territorial integrity to be respected—while Hezbollah’s leader rejected the talks wholesale.