Rubble left by Israeli strikes in the southern city of Sour. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour.)
Israel and Lebanon will hold talks next week in Washington after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered direct talks, a US official said Thursday.
"We can confirm that the Department will host a meeting next week to discuss ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon," a State Department official said, confirming an earlier account from a source familiar with the diplomatic efforts.
The talks will come soon after as the United States and Iran open talks in Pakistan.
Israel has said that the Lebanon invasion and its incessant bombing campaign across the country are not affected by a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
On Wednesday, Israel launched a massive bombing campaign across various regions in Lebanon, including the residential and commercial areas in the capital, Beirut, killing more than 300 people.
Since the war between Israel and Hezbollah started on March 2, Israel has killed at least 1,888 people and injured 6,092 others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil