United States President, Donald Trump, has announced that leaders from Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks on Thursday as efforts intensify to ease rising tensions between both sides.
Trump disclosed this on Wednesday via his Truth Social platform, noting that the planned engagement is part of ongoing diplomatic moves by Washington to reduce hostilities following renewed clashes between Israel and the Iran-backed group, Hezbollah.
“We are trying to create a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” Trump said. “There were discussions in Washington recently, and we expect leaders from both sides to speak soon.”
The latest development comes after Lebanon was drawn deeper into the conflict on March 2, when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, triggering a series of retaliatory strikes. Since then, thousands of casualties have been recorded, with widespread displacement reported across southern Lebanon.
Despite growing international calls for an immediate ceasefire, Israeli military operations have continued, including ground incursions into parts of Lebanon.
A senior U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Washington is pushing for a long-term resolution rather than a temporary halt in fighting.
“The president would welcome an end to hostilities in Lebanon as part of a broader peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” the official said. “However, the focus is on achieving a durable solution, not just an immediate ceasefire.”
The official also clarified that ongoing diplomatic engagements involving the United States and Iran are separate from the Israel-Lebanon peace efforts.
According to the official, “Our priority is to build trust between both governments so that there is enough political momentum to support a lasting agreement.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his country’s objectives in the negotiations, stressing the need to neutralise Hezbollah and secure lasting peace.
“Our goals remain clear,” Netanyahu said. “First, the dismantling of Hezbollah, and second, achieving a sustainable peace—one that is secured through strength.”
The anticipated talks would mark a significant step, coming on the heels of what officials describe as the first direct engagement between senior Israeli and Lebanese representatives in decades.
