Israel says it is ready to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, following an order for people to leave areas targeted in the latest fighting. Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet to begin talks “as soon as possible”, according to the live report, though Lebanese officials have made clear that a ceasefire must be in place first.
The development comes amid a wider regional crisis that has intensified after the US-Iran ceasefire prompted Israeli bombing of Lebanon, drawing condemnation. The situation has added to fears that the conflict could spread further, even as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes.
On the diplomatic front, the UK foreign minister, Yvette Cooper, said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire arrangement. In comments now being reported by Reuters, Cooper also said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as another key issue in the wider negotiations. Amid ceasefire talks, Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels seeking safe passage through the waterway. Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that the US and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture, while the White House said its priority was reopening the strait without limitations.
The remarks underline how the conflict is now tied to a broader set of regional and international concerns, including maritime access, ceasefire terms and the role of neighbouring states. For Lebanon, the central question remains whether any direct talks can move forward before the fighting stops.
Israel’s position, as described in the report, is that negotiations should begin quickly. Lebanese officials, by contrast, are insisting that the first step must be a ceasefire. That gap highlights the difficulty of translating the latest diplomatic signals into an immediate breakthrough.
The crisis has also revived debate over the legal and strategic basis for military action. In comments quoted in the live coverage, one official said: “And my principles and values made sure that our decisions were that we wouldn’t get involved in the action without a lawful basis, without a viable, thought-through plan.”
Those remarks reflect the pressure facing governments as they try to balance military responses, legal justification and the search for a workable diplomatic settlement. With fighting continuing and regional tensions rising, the prospects for a quick agreement remain uncertain.
For now, the main points of contact appear to be the ceasefire discussions and the question of whether Lebanon can be brought into them directly. The UK has urged that it must be included, while Israel has signalled readiness to start negotiations. The outcome will depend on whether both sides can agree on the basic conditions for talks.
At the same time, the debate over the Strait of Hormuz shows that the conflict is no longer being discussed solely in terms of land warfare or bilateral ceasefire terms. Maritime access, tolls and shipping security have become part of the wider diplomatic picture, with governments weighing how to keep one of the world’s most important waterways open.
As of Thursday, 9 April 2026, the situation remains fluid, with ceasefire talks, military moves and regional diplomacy all moving at once. The immediate question is whether the push for direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon can survive the demand for a ceasefire first.
