Lebanon and Israel agreed on Tuesday to hold direct talks following a ceasefire late last year that ended the latest conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, the US State Department said in a statement issued Tuesday by Morgan Ortagus, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Policy, and Steve Witkoff.

The US official said in a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Quds.com, that the two countries agreed to discuss long-standing border disputes, the fate of Lebanese detainees held by Israel, and the status of five strategic sites held by the Israeli occupation army inside Lebanon. Morgan Ortagus said, "We are bringing Lebanon and Israel together for talks aimed at resolving many of the outstanding issues between the two countries diplomatically."

The talks are expected to take place directly between Lebanon and Israel under American and possibly French sponsorship.

Israel has severely weakened the military capabilities of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, a US-designated terrorist group, in fighting last year. On Tuesday, Israel said it had released five Lebanese prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon do not have diplomatic relations and have been in a state of war since Israel's founding in 1948.