JERUSALEM/BEIRUT: Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold direct talks in the coming days, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported on Saturday, in what would be a diplomatic milestone between the two states as Israel and

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT: Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold direct talks in the coming days, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported on Saturday, in what would be a diplomatic milestone between the two states as Israel and

Macron calls for direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, offering Paris as a negotiation venue amid escalating regional tensions.

A report by Haaretz said negotiations between the two sides could begin in the coming days. Three Lebanese officials also told Reuters that Beirut is already preparing a delegation for potential negotiations.

Lebanon is willing to engage in “direct talks” with Israel, the French president said.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday said the war in the Middle East, involving both Israel and Hezbollah, had caused immense suffering for the Lebanese people.

The negotiations were expected to focus on ending fighting in Lebanon and disarming Hezbollah. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Lebanese government pushed for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, citing the number of civilians displaced from southern Lebanon.

⁠The Israeli military warned ​on Saturday that it may strike ambulances and medical facilities which it said were being used unlawfully by Hezbollah in Lebanon, ​though it did not provide evidence for the claim. At least 26 medics and first responders have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2 according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military says it ​takes precautions to try to reduce any harm to civilians. More details with FRANCE 24 Senior Reporter in Beirut, Catherine Norris-Trent.

An overnight Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed a dozen health workers at a clinic, with health authorities saying 26 paramedics have been killed since March 2. Israel and Lebanon ​are expected to hold direct talks in the coming days, their first since the start of ​the ‌Iran war that has ⁠drawn Lebanon deeper into conflict, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on ‌Saturday. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Jerusalem, Noga Tarnopolsky.