Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his country was ready for direct negotiations amid international calls for Israel to stop its strikes in Lebanon.

Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of violating the truce and threatened to withdraw from negotiations. Israeli attacks in Lebanon were a major point of dispute.

The president said he had received a 10-point proposal from Iran that formed a “workable basis” for negotiations. But Israel said the ceasefire “does not include Lebanon.”

The president vowed anew to destroy Iranian bridges and energy sites if a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reached.

The Austrian Hospice urges groups of Christian pilgrims to book 16 months ahead. One night this week, a receptionist warned a Post reporter she would be the only guest.

In a rare about-face, the move by Israeli police to block Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from the holiest site in Christianity was reversed after criticism.

The missile attack by the Houthis in Yemen marks an escalation of the war in the Middle East and may pose further risks to shipping in the region.