Israel and Lebanon agreed to launch direct negotiations on a comprehensive peace
deal following rare face-to-face talks involving Marco Rubio and diplomats from
both sides. A joint statement said the U.S. hopes discussions can expand beyond
the 2024 agreement. Israel’s ambassador Yechiel Leiter said both sides share a
goal of eliminating Hezbollah. Lebanese officials maintain a cease-fire as a
precondition, while Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called the talks “pointless.”
