Lebanon to enter direct talks with Israel, seeking permanent ceasefire

Youssef Raggi, Lebanon’s foreign minister, said the country will engage in direct negotiations with Israel aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed on 2 March amid the wider US-Israeli war on Iran.

A US-brokered truce was extended on 23 April, though Hezbollah is not part of the arrangement.