In a rare diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Lebanon have held their first direct talks in over thirty years, mediated by Marco Rubio. The discussions aim to reduce violence and address the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah, which continues to launch attacks despite the meeting: Israel has continued to bombard targets in Lebanon in retaliation. Both sides agreed to pursue further negotiations, though key differences remain, with Israel seeking the disarmament of armed groups and Lebanon calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief. The conflict has already caused thousands of deaths and displaced around a million people, deepening suffering across the region. While the talks offer a hopeful step toward dialogue, progress will likely require sustained effort amid complex political and security challenges. Breaking news: Donald Trump has announced a ten-day truce between Israel and Lebanon, starting on 16 April. See