US President Donald Trump says leaders of Israel and Lebanon are set to hold talks, as Washington intensifies efforts to ease escalating hostilities between both sides.
Mr Trump disclosed on Wednesday that the planned talks would take place on Thursday, following what he described as the first direct negotiations between senior officials of both countries in decades.
“Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” he said on his Truth Social platform, referencing a meeting held in Washington a day earlier.
The talks come amid rising tensions after the Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel on March 2, drawing Lebanon deeper into the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Since then, Israeli military operations have intensified, with airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon leading to significant casualties and displacement.
Humanitarian toll
Reports indicate that more than 2,000 people have been killed and over one million displaced in Lebanon since the escalation began, despite repeated international calls for a ceasefire.
The worsening humanitarian situation has increased global pressure on all parties to pursue diplomatic solutions.
US position
A senior US administration official said Washington would welcome an end to hostilities as part of a broader peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
“The president would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” the official said.
However, the official clarified that the United States is not pushing for an immediate ceasefire and that ongoing discussions are not linked to separate negotiations involving Iran.
Instead, Washington’s focus is on building trust between both governments to create conditions for a durable peace.
Call for momentum
According to the official, both Israel and Lebanon must build political momentum to sustain any future agreement.
“Both sides need to build political momentum,” the official added, stressing the importance of long-term stability over short-term arrangements.
Israel’s stance
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined two key objectives guiding Israel’s approach to the talks.
“First, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace… achieved through strength,” he said on Wednesday.
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