Beirut, Lebanon. US President Donald Trump’s personal envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi were headed to Switzerland for talks, Axios reported, as Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday tested a new ceasefire.
The talks are part of an effort to turn this week’s interim 14-point pact into a lasting regional agreement aimed at ending the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Ceasefire challenged by strikes in southern Lebanon
Just hours after a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israeli air strikes and drone attacks killed at least five people in the south on Saturday, according to Lebanese state media.
The Lebanese state news agency NNA said Israeli warplanes and drones carried out a series of strikes across the Nabatieh area overnight and into Saturday morning, destroying residential buildings. It also reported that Israeli artillery shelled Nabatieh and its outskirts before dawn.
Israel did not immediately comment on the NNA report.
Ceasefire tied to broader negotiations
A halt to the fighting in Lebanon is a condition for beginning 60 days of US-Iranian talks aimed at resolving disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme and other issues seen as necessary for a more durable agreement.
Such a deal is considered critical to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilising global oil supplies.
Switzerland talks and diplomatic contacts
According to Axios, the talks in Switzerland are to be led by Witkoff and Araqchi. The report said Witkoff was heading to Switzerland to join Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who was already there, while Araqchi was expected to travel there on Saturday.
The White House did not respond to questions about Witkoff’s travel. Iran has not confirmed Araqchi’s plans.
Timing of the Lebanon ceasefire
A senior US official said the Lebanon ceasefire took effect at around 4pm local time on Friday after an exchange of fire. Two Hezbollah sources and a senior Israeli official also confirmed the ceasefire.