Netanyahu instructs his cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will sit down at the negotiating table with Lebanon "as soon as possible," even as attacks on Lebanon continue.

Netanyahu stated, "In line with Lebanon's repeated calls for the opening of direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible."

Netanyahu noted that the talks will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.