Israel and Lebanon are talking peace but won't stop fighting, Netanyahu says

Israel and Lebanon are set to begin direct talks, marking a rare diplomatic opening after weeks of escalating border clashes. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made one thing clear: there will be no ceasefire. Despite the negotiations, Israeli forces will keep striking what they describe as Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials, meanwhile, had publicly insisted a truce should come before any talks - a condition Israel is refusing to meet.

The U.S. is playing a central role behind the scenes. The Trump administration says it's pushing hard for peace and hails recent diplomatic progress, including backchannel efforts that helped bring the two sides to the table. But officials also stress that military pressure remains on the table, especially toward Iran, which they accuse of fueling the conflict through its support of Hezbollah. The administration recently wrapped up what it called Operation Epic Fury - a series of cyber and intelligence actions targeting Iranian networks - and says it's prepared to do more if Iran doesn't pull back.

In a surprising development, Iran and Saudi Arabia held their first direct talks since the war began, with foreign ministers speaking by phone. The conversation, confirmed by both governments, is being seen as a potential sign of shifting regional dynamics. While neither side announced breakthroughs, the mere fact of contact is significant, given the deep hostility between the two powers. Analysts suggest Saudi Arabia may be looking to avoid further instability, especially with oil markets on edge and U.S. attention focused on the region.

Internationally, reactions are split. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in The Guardian that Israel's ongoing attacks in Lebanon "should not be happening" and warned that the broader conflict with Iran should serve as a turning point for Western security policy. He urged stronger European defense cooperation and greater domestic resilience, calling the crisis a wake-up call for democracies.

On Capitol Hill, tensions flared as House Democrats tried to force a vote on limiting U.S. military involvement in the Iran conflict. They argued that the Trump administration has overstepped by launching operations without congressional approval. But House Republicans blocked the effort, allowing debate to continue without a vote. The move highlights the ongoing struggle over war powers, especially as the administration maintains a hardline stance.

For now, the situation remains fragile. The talks between Israel and Lebanon are a step toward de-escalation, but without a ceasefire, the risk of miscalculation is high. Civilians on both sides of the border continue to bear the brunt, with displacement and casualties rising in recent weeks.

Diplomacy is moving, but so are the missiles. The coming days will test whether dialogue can finally outpace the violence - or if the region is still sliding toward something worse.