Ceasefire Talks Advance Amid Lebanon-Israel Conflict

Israeli officials insist that any ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah must include Israel's right to act militarily against the militant group, a demand that Lebanon's government sees as a threat to sovereignty. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized this condition while U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein works to broker a ceasefire. Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem responded that they would not agree to a ceasefire that does not halt all Israeli aggression and preserve Lebanese sovereignty. The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties, with over 3,500 lives lost in Lebanon and nearly 44,000 Palestinians killed since the war's escalation. Additionally, an Israeli airstrike in Syria targeted a site linked to Hezbollah, resulting in 36 fatalities. As negotiations continue, the situation remains tense, with both sides preparing for potential further hostilities.