Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced authorization for direct negotiations with Lebanon. These talks aim to disarm Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and establish formal relations between the two nations. The initiative comes amid ongoing instability in the Middle East.

In a potential boost to Middle East ceasefire efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he authorised direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible” aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the neighbours. Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Netanyahu later stressed that there was no ceasefire between them. In a video statement, he said Israel will keep...