World

Lebanon and Israel hold first direct talks in over 30 years

April 15, 2026 10:42 am

Lebanon and Israel have held their first direct diplomatic talks in over three decades, a rare encounter aimed at ending fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

No immediate outcome was expected from the discussion, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said was also a “historic opportunity” to end Hezbollah’s influence in the region.

The two countries do not have diplomatic relations, and the last direct, high-level talks between them took place in 1993.