Lebanon and Israel hold talks

Envoys from Lebanon and Israel are meeting in Washington for rare direct negotiations mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The talks aim to broker a ceasefire and establish a security zone, despite strong opposition from the militant group Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has warned it will not abide by any agreements resulting from the discussions, which it views as a ploy to pressure the group into disarming.

The negotiations take place against a backdrop of continued Israeli ground operations and airstrikes in southern Lebanon.