Israel and Lebanon have held direct talks for the first time in decades, agreeing to launch ongoing negotiations aimed at ensuring "the security of both countries," according to Al Jazeera.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the meeting as a "milestone" but cautioned that it represents just the "start of the process." The talks signal a rare diplomatic opening between two nations that have technically been in a state of war for decades, with no formal peace treaty or diplomatic relations.
Details about the specific agenda or location of the talks were limited, but the involvement of the United States as a facilitating party underscores Washington's continued interest in brokering stability in the region. The agreement to continue negotiations suggests both sides see potential for progress on long-standing security concerns along their shared border.
The diplomatic development comes against a backdrop of continued violence elsewhere in the region, particularly in Gaza, where Israeli strikes killed at least 11 Palestinians on Tuesday, including a three-year-old and a 14-year-old, according to Gaza's Civil Defence authorities. The attacks represent the latest violations of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect last October.
