Lebanon asks U.S. for direct peace talks with Israel to end fighting

The Lebanese government has proposed direct peace talks with Israel, mediated by the U.S., to end the ongoing conflict, according to five sources familiar with the matter. Both the Trump administration and Israel have reportedly responded with skepticism, with a U.S. envoy stating that disarming Hezbollah is a prerequisite for discussions. Israel has rejected the overture, prioritizing the elimination of Hezbollah following the group's involvement in the recent war. Despite Lebanese government decisions to ban Hezbollah's military arm and deport IRGC members, the Lebanese army has not acted against Hezbollah. Without active U.S. mediation, a full-scale escalation appears increasingly likely as Lebanon launches a diplomatic initiative for a post-war order without Hezbollah's dominance.