Israel says it is prepared to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, after ordering people to flee in advance of continued strikes. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet to begin negotiations “as soon as possible”, according to the live updates.
The move comes amid mounting pressure for a ceasefire arrangement that would cover Lebanon. Lebanese officials have said a ceasefire must be in place first before any direct talks can proceed, underlining the gap between the two sides as regional tensions remain high.
Pressure grows over ceasefire terms
In separate remarks, UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. Her comments reflect concern that any deal focused only on one front would leave the broader conflict unresolved.
Cooper also said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free. The strait remains strategically important for international trade, and comments about possible charges or tolls have added another layer of concern to the wider crisis.
Amid the ceasefire discussions, Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels in order for them to safely pass through the strait. That suggestion has already drawn attention because of the potential impact on maritime traffic and energy supplies.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump suggested the US and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture. The White House, however, said the priority was reopening the strait without limitations. The competing comments show how the maritime dimension of the crisis is becoming part of the diplomatic debate.
Regional conflict and diplomatic uncertainty
The latest developments follow Israel’s bombing of Lebanon after the US-Iran ceasefire, which has prompted condemnation. The strikes have intensified scrutiny of the broader conflict and of the terms needed to prevent further escalation.
The question of whether ceasefire talks can lead to direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon now appears central to the next phase of diplomacy. Netanyahu’s instruction to begin talks quickly signals a willingness to engage, but Lebanese officials have made clear that they want a ceasefire in place before any such process begins.
The live updates also quoted a statement from a UK position on military action, saying decisions had to be grounded in a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan. The remarks highlight the continuing political debate over how and when outside powers should become involved in the crisis.
For now, the situation remains fluid. Diplomats are weighing ceasefire language, regional leaders are making conflicting proposals about the Strait of Hormuz, and the fighting on the ground continues to shape the pace of any possible negotiations.
As the talks develop, attention is likely to remain fixed on whether Lebanon is formally included in any agreement, whether maritime restrictions are introduced or rejected, and whether Israel and Lebanon can move from indirect pressure to direct negotiation.
