Lebanon and Israel held direct talks for the first time in four decades, as both countries sought to prevent an escalation of tensions following Israeli air strikes in Lebanon, reportedly in response to alleged Hezbollah attacks.

The discussions took place in the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura, on the Mediterranean coast, under the auspices of a US-chaired ceasefire review committee. The three-hour meeting brought together Lebanese civilian representatives and Israeli officials.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Beirut was prepared to engage in discussions beyond security issues but emphasised that the talks do not constitute a peace agreement. He said the immediate goals are to secure a ceasefire, facilitate the release of Lebanese hostages held by Israel, and achieve a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories it had occupied.

Salam added that once these conditions are met, formal peace talks would follow, enabling the restoration of relations between the two countries. He also reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for Israel to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories to re-establish peaceful relations.