Donald Trump has said that leaders of Israel and Lebanon are expected to speak on Thursday, as Washington intensifies efforts to ease tensions following the rivals’ first direct talks in decades.
Lebanon became further entangled in the Middle East conflict on March 2 after the Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel.
Since then, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed more than 2,000 people and displaced over one million in Lebanon, despite repeated international calls for a ceasefire. Israeli ground forces have also advanced into the country’s southern region.
“Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” Trump said on Wednesday via his Truth Social platform, referencing a meeting held in Washington a day earlier — the first direct negotiations between senior officials from both countries since 1993.
He added that the leaders would speak on Thursday, though he did not name the participants or provide further details.
A senior U.S. administration official had earlier indicated that Trump would “welcome” an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but clarified that such an outcome is not tied to ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran.
“The president would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” the official said, speaking anonymously.
According to the official, the United States is seeking a lasting resolution but is not insisting on an immediate ceasefire. They also stressed that U.S.–Iran negotiations are separate from efforts to broker peace between Israel and Lebanon.
Washington’s current focus is on rebuilding trust between both governments to create room for a sustainable peace agreement and ensure that any future arrangements remain stable.
“Both sides need to build political momentum,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu outlined two key goals for the talks: the dismantling of Hezbollah and the achievement of a lasting peace, which he said must be secured through strength.
