…Trump did not disclose the identities of the leaders expected to participate or provide further details.
WASHINGTON – The iNews Times| Donald Trump has announced that leaders of Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks on Thursday, as the United States intensifies efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries following their first direct negotiations in decades.
The development comes amid ongoing hostilities that escalated after Lebanon became involved in the Middle East conflict on March 2, when the Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel.
Since then, Israeli retaliatory strikes have reportedly killed more than 2,000 people and displaced over one million residents in Lebanon, despite repeated international calls for a ceasefire. Israeli ground forces have also advanced into parts of southern Lebanon.
Speaking via his Truth Social platform, Trump said the move is aimed at creating “a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” referencing a recent meeting in Washington, the first direct engagement between senior officials of both nations since 1993.
Although Trump did not disclose the identities of the leaders expected to participate or provide further details, a senior US administration official indicated that Washington would welcome an end to hostilities as part of a broader peace agreement between the two countries.
The official, however, clarified that ongoing diplomatic efforts are not tied to negotiations between the United States and Iran, stressing that the focus remains on fostering trust between Israel and Lebanon to create conditions for a sustainable resolution.
According to the official, building political momentum on both sides is crucial to achieving a durable peace and preventing future escalations.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his country’s objectives in the talks, stating that Israel is seeking the dismantling of Hezbollah and the establishment of a lasting peace arrangement.
As diplomatic efforts continue, global attention remains fixed on whether the renewed dialogue can lead to a meaningful de-escalation in one of the region’s most volatile conflicts.
