Israel and Lebanon Hold First Direct Border Talks in Decades

Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held direct talks on Wednesday for the first time in decades. A source close to the discussions confirmed the meeting. The talks occurred at the United Nations peacekeeping force's headquarters in Naqura, southern Lebanon. They are part of a formal ceasefire monitoring mechanism established after fighting halted in November 2024. That conflict was primarily between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. The year-old mechanism, involving both nations' civilian officials, oversees the truce along their shared border. The United States has actively supported the process. Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. special envoy for Lebanon, has been involved in diplomatic efforts.