Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, confirmed that Israel has agreed to officially begin peace talks with Lebanon in Washington on the 14th, but refused to discuss a ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah.
On the 10th, Herzog spoke by phone for the first time with Lebanon's ambassador to the US, Gabriel Issa, telling him that even while talks proceed with Lebanon, Israel does not intend to stop military actions against Hezbollah.
Herzog said that Hezbollah's continued attacks on Israel are the main obstacle to peace between the two countries, and Israel refuses to discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
According to The Times of Israel, Lebanon insists that a ceasefire should be a prerequisite for the meeting between the two sides on the 14th.
According to the US news website Axios on the 10th, citing two sources familiar with the matter, both the Lebanese and US governments have asked Israel to halt operations against Hezbollah before the talks begin.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a video speech on the evening of the 9th that he has instructed the Israeli government to start direct negotiations with the Lebanese government, but that there will be no ceasefire with Lebanon and Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah with full force.
The Lebanese Presidential Palace issued a statement on the evening of the 10th, saying that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to hold a first meeting at the US State Department on the 14th to discuss an announcement of a ceasefire and the date for starting talks under US mediation.