Lebanon, Israel Ambassadors Agree to Ceasefire Meeting

Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States held their first direct telephone contact on Friday, agreeing to a mediated meeting next week to discuss a ceasefire framework and the start of negotiations between the two nations, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.

The call, facilitated by U.S. officials including the American ambassador to Lebanon, took place in Washington and involved Israel's ambassador, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon's representative. Both sides committed to convening in person on Tuesday at the U.S. State Department, where discussions will focus on establishing conditions for halting hostilities and outlining a timeline for broader talks under American auspices. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has advocated for such direct engagement since early March, when Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel in support of Iran triggered a major Israeli military response, including airstrikes and a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

The diplomatic step comes amid a sharp escalation in violence. Lebanese authorities reported that Israeli strikes on Wednesday alone killed 357 people and wounded over 1,200, with the toll still rising as rescue teams...