Israel and Lebanon preparing for rare direct talks amid ongoing Beirut airstrikes

Israel and Lebanon are preparing for rare direct negotiations after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for internationally sponsored talks with Israel, signaling potential openness to normalized relations. Lebanon has declared Hezbollah's military actions illegal and issued arrest warrants for individuals accused of carrying out the March 2 rocket attacks that reignited the conflict. The prospective talks come against a backdrop of 680 people killed, ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon, and a major ground operation being planned south of the Litani River.