U.S. to host 'Israel'-Lebanon talks in Washington next week

• The U.S. is set to host 'Israel'-Lebanon talks in Washington next week as cross-border strikes continue and tensions escalate.

The U.S. State Department is expected to host talks between 'Israel' and Lebanon in Washington next week, a U.S. official said on Thursday, a day after deadly 'Israeli' strikes across Lebanon.

The official confirmed, according to Agence France-Presse, that “the State Department will host a meeting next week to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon,” corroborating earlier reporting from a source familiar with diplomatic efforts.

Several 'Israeli' media outlets said 'Israel’s' ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, is expected to lead the 'Israeli' delegation in the discussions.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he had instructed officials to begin “direct negotiations” with Lebanon.

Following what his office described as repeated Lebanese requests, Netanyahu said he had ordered talks “as soon as possible,” adding that negotiations would address the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of peace relations between 'Israel' and Lebanon.

However, a Lebanese government official said on Thursday that Beirut is seeking a ceasefire first before entering any negotiations with 'Israel'. A Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated lawmaker also rejected any direct talks, calling instead for an 'Israeli' withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The diplomatic developments come amid continued hostilities on the ground.

Netanyahu earlier said strikes against Hezbollah would continue “where necessary” until security is fully restored for residents of northern Israel.

Late Thursday, the 'Israeli' military said it had begun targeting Hezbollah rocket launch sites in Lebanon.

Despite a recently announced ceasefire, international concern is growing that ongoing 'Israeli' strikes could undermine the truce.

In Beirut, rescue teams continued searching through rubble following coordinated Israeli strikes across multiple areas on Wednesday, which Lebanese authorities say killed more than 300 people and injured over 1,100.

In southern Lebanon, at least five people were killed in additional strikes, while Hezbollah said its fighters were engaged in direct clashes with 'Israeli' forces in the area.

The 'Israeli' military also renewed evacuation warnings for several neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs ahead of further strikes.