Direct Israel-Lebanon talks wrap after two hours of discussions in Washington | LIVE BLOG

Yechiel Leiter to i24NEWS' Mike Wagenheim: The Lebanese government made it clear they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah

Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, hailed an "excellent exchange" following the first direct talks with Lebanon in decades in Washington. "We discovered today that we are on the same side," he said, referring to a convergence in the face of Iranian influence and Hezbollah. "We are both united in our desire to liberate Lebanon from an occupation... called Hezbollah," he added, describing this dynamic as "the most positive thing" about the meeting.

Israel-Lebanon direct talks over after two hours of discussions in Washington D.C.

Direct talks between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington concluded after approximately two hours at the U.S. State Department. The meeting, mediated by the United States, brought together Yechiel Leiter and Nada Hamadeh, marking an unprecedented exchange between the two countries amid regional tensions.

Bint-Jbeil: Three Hezbollah terrorists surrender to Israeli forces

The IDF announced that three Hezbollah terrorists, including a member of the "Radwan" unit, surrendered during a close-quarters battle in Bint Jbeil. Following the engagement, the terrorists discarded their weapons before surrendering. They were then transferred to Unit 504 for interrogation. The IDF continues its operations in the area to neutralize threats and ensure the safety of Israeli civilians.

A State Department official says “there is no link between the negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad and the Israel-Lebanon talks.”

US Secretary of State Rubio hails Israel-Lebanon talks as a ‘historic opportunity to permanently end decades of Hezbollah influence’

South Lebanon: Three Hezbollah terrorists killed after attack on paratroopers

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had eliminated three Hezbollah members responsible for the attack that wounded ten paratroopers during overnight clashes in Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon. According to the army, soldiers from the 101st Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade were targeted by an armed cell. The ensuing exchange of fire left three seriously wounded, one moderately wounded, and six lightly wounded. Israeli forces immediately retaliated, supported by tank fire and airstrikes, eliminating two assailants on the spot. The third, who fled, was located and then killed in a subsequent strike, in an effort to neutralize the threat in this sensitive area.

Gideon Sa'ar: "Israel has no major dispute with Lebanon; the problem is Hezbollah."

Ahead of planned talks in Washington, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that Israel desires "peace and normalization" with Lebanon, asserting that the two countries have no major disagreements, aside from the issue of Hezbollah, which he identifies as the primary obstacle. This statement comes before a meeting between Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, scheduled for 6:00 PM Israeli time.

Israeli Mossad Chief on Iran: Our mission is not yet complete. It will only be complete when this extremist regime is replaced

"Our mission in Iran is not done yet. We did not think that it would be completed immediately after the fighting ended. We anticipated that our campaign would continue after the strikes on Tehran would end, and prepared for this. Our commitment will only be complete once this extremist regime is replaced. This regime that seeks our destruction must pass from this world.  This is our mission, and we will not stand idly by in the face of another existential threat, with a clear imperative: Never again."

Iran says US-Israeli strikes caused at least $270 billion in damage

Three IDF soldiers severely injured, one moderately, six lightly overnight in southern Lebanon firefight in Hezbollah compound

Italian PM Meloni: In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the renewal of its defense agreement with Israel

Lebanese official to Al Jazeera: Today's talks are to reach ceasefire; all other issues to be discussed later, contacts with US are ‘positive' READ MORE 

🚨 Drone infiltration sirens activated in northern Israel

US and Iranian teams to return to Islamabad for renewed peace talks later this week after earlier round collapsed - report READ MORE

🚨 Red alert sirens activated in northern Israel

As Israel-Lebanon talks are set to begin today, the US says the goal is to secure Israel's northern border, strengthen Lebanese sovereignty READ MORE

🚨 Red alert sirens activated in northern Israel

🚨 Drone infiltration sirens activated in northern Israel

IDF soldier killed, three reservists injured in southern Lebanon operation

🚨 Drone infiltration sirens activated in northern Israel