Strikes continue in southern Lebanon as peace talks with Israel begin in US

Lebanon and Israel have held direct diplomatic talks for the first time in decades. Tuesday's more than two-hour meeting in Washington came after more than a month of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The State Department praised the two sides for what it called “productive discussions.” Israel's ambassador to the U.S. hailed what he called a convergence of opinion about removing Hezbollah's influence from Lebanon.

Lebanon's ambassador to the U.S. called for a ceasefire and to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. Hezbollah opposed the direct talks and wasn’t represented. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the talks a “historic opportunity.”

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