Israel Rejects Ceasefire With Hezbollah Ahead of Lebanon Talks in Washington

Israel announced it will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah when Israeli officials meet Lebanese counterparts in Washington next week, as Israeli forces conducted new attacks on southern Lebanon on Saturday. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported at least 10 deaths, including three emergency workers, from Israeli strikes on more than a dozen locations. The escalation reflects the deepening military conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with Hezbollah conducting 43 attacks on Israeli forces in the preceding 24 hours. The talks in Washington represent a rare diplomatic channel amid the intensive cross-border military operations.