Israel is preparing to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon after ordering people to flee areas targeted in its latest bombing campaign, according to developments reported on Thursday in the Middle East crisis.
Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet to begin negotiations “as soon as possible”, even as Lebanese officials said a ceasefire would need to be in place before talks could move forward. The comments came against the backdrop of Israel’s bombing of Lebanon following the US-Iran ceasefire, which has drawn condemnation.
The latest diplomatic maneuvering comes as international pressure grows for any ceasefire arrangement to account for the wider regional fallout. UK foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. Her remarks were later reported by Reuters.
Cooper also said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free. The strait remains a major global shipping route, and its status has become part of the latest round of ceasefire discussions.
Amid the talks, Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that the US and Iran could collect tolls in a joint venture. The White House, meanwhile, said its priority was reopening the strait without limitations.
The debate over access to the strait has added another layer of tension to an already volatile regional crisis, with governments weighing both military and economic consequences. The issue has also highlighted the broader challenge of creating any ceasefire framework that addresses not only direct fighting, but also the movement of shipping and the security of key transit routes.
In London, Cooper also defended the government’s approach to decisions on the crisis. She said, in remarks reported by Reuters, that “our decisions were that we wouldn’t get involved in the action without a lawful basis, without a viable, thought-through plan.”
That statement reflects the careful line being drawn by Western governments as the conflict widens and diplomatic efforts continue. For now, the immediate focus remains on whether direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon can begin, and whether a ceasefire can be agreed that satisfies both sides.
With Israeli airstrikes continuing, Lebanese officials insisting on a ceasefire first, and international figures pushing for broader talks, the crisis remains in flux. The next steps will depend on whether the parties can bridge the gap between battlefield pressure and diplomatic engagement.
