Israel and Lebanon to talk as war with Hezbollah rages, Haaretz reports

Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold direct talks in the coming days, marking their first discussions since the onset of the Iran war, which has intensified Lebanon's involvement in the conflict. Three Lebanese officials indicated that Beirut is forming a delegation for these talks, although no specific date has been set for the discussions. This development comes amid ongoing hostilities, particularly between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. Recent Israeli military actions have resulted in significant casualties among medical personnel in Lebanon. An overnight Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed a dozen health workers at a clinic, according to health authorities. Since March 2, the Lebanese health ministry reported that 26 paramedics have been killed and 51 others wounded due to Israeli strikes. The ministry has accused Israel of targeting ambulance crews while they were performing rescue duties, which has raised concerns regarding the safety of medical staff in conflict zones. Hezbollah has continued its rocket fire against Israel, with its leader, Naim Qassem, stating that the group is prepared for a prolonged confrontation. This escalation follows Hezbollah's attack on Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential negotiations while hostilities persist. The United States has expressed support for Lebanon's proposal to engage in talks with Israel amidst the ongoing conflict.