Lebanon's ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad called for a ceasefire during "constructive" talks on Tuesday with Israeli officials in Washington, she said in a statement.

The "preparatory meeting was constructive," the envoy's statement said, adding that she "called for a ceasefire" and the return of displaced people to their homes, and also emphasized "the full sovereignty of the state" over all Lebanese territory.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to hold direct negotiations after "productive discussions" between the two sides in Washington, the United States said on Tuesday.

"The participants held productive discussions on steps toward launching direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement, adding: "All sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue."

Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon concluded in Washington on Tuesday, with Israel's envoy hailing a "wonderful exchange" and saying the two countries are "on the same side" in opposing Hezbollah.

President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that direct talks on Tuesday in Washington with Israel would lead to an end of the country's suffering after war erupted again between Israel and Hezbollah last month.

"I hope that the meeting in Washington... will mark the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese people in general, and those in the south in particular," Aoun said in a statement, adding that "stability will not return to the south if Israel continues to occupy its lands."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Tuesday for Israel and Lebanon to seize a "historic opportunity" for peace as the first direct talks in decades between the two sides got underway in Washington.

The Israeli military warned Tuesday it expected a rise in attacks by Hezbollah targeting Israel's north, as Washington hosted Israeli and Lebanese officials for their first direct talks in decades.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington on Tuesday for the first direct peace talks between the two sides in decades.

Foreign ministers from 17 countries, including the UK, Tuesday urged Israel and Lebanon to "seize this opportunity" in a statement ahead of U.S.-mediated talks between the two sides in Washington.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday she was suspending Italy's defense agreement with Israel, which involves the exchange of military equipment and technology research, news agencies reported.

"In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel," Meloni said on the sidelines of an event in Verona, according to Italian news agency Ansa.

Israel's military said Monday that a massive wave of strikes in Lebanon last week killed five Hezbollah commanders, as well as more than 250 of the group's fighters.

The Lebanese health ministry has said Wednesday's attacks killed more than 350 people in total and wounded more than 1,200.