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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he ordered his cabinet to open direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish "peace relations" between the two countries, a day after Israeli strikes killed more than 300 people across Lebanon.
Lebanese were in national mourning on Thursday, a day after the most violent attacks in recent history rocked the country, where Israeli forces bombed densely populated civilian areas, including in Beirut.
"In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible," his office wrote in a statement.
"Negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace relations between Israel and Lebanon. Israel appreciates today's call by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarise Beirut," the press release added.
Lebanon has called for a ceasefire before the start of negotiations. A Hezbollah lawmaker has said the group rejected any direct talks with Israel before a ceasefire and a withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.