EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on X that the first meetings would be in Riyadh and Brussels. After the eruption of the Gaza war last October between Israel and Hamas that rules Gaza, Saudi Arabia put on ice US-backed plans for the kingdom to normalise ties with Israel,

More than 700 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since Monday, meanwhile Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to address the UN.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will continue exploring ceasefire proposals for Lebanon, despite rejecting global calls for an immediate truce. The conflict with Hezbollah has resulted in significant casualties and displacement on both sides.

Israel carried out strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which it said killed a Hezbollah commander, as the US and allies call for a 21-day ceasefire. Follow for live news updates.

The US said an international call for a ceasefire was co-ordinated with Israel, despite its apparent rejection by Israeli officials.

Israel will continue to discuss ceasefire proposals for Lebanon in the days ahead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday, as Washington warned that further escalation would only make it harder for civilians on both sides to return home.

The United States and Israel are in talks to possibly secure a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah amid intense airstrikes and attacks in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has confirmed that an air strike on an apartment building in the south of Beirut killed the head of its drone unit, Mohammad Surur. Fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah are at a high,

The U.S. said Israel had signaled it would agree to a temporary truce with Hezbollah. Instead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep fighting.