Trump says leaders of 'Israel' and Lebanon to speak on Thursday
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Trump says leaders of ‘Israel’ and Lebanon will speak for the first time in 34 years.
- Announcement follows rare US-hosted talks as war in Lebanon intensifies.
United States President Donald Trump said leaders of ‘Israel’ and Lebanon are set to hold direct talks on Thursday, marking their first known communication in 34 years.
The announcement came after envoys from both sides held rare face-to-face discussions in Washington, DC, aimed at easing tensions and exploring a path to halt ongoing hostilities.
Read more: ‘Israeli’ envoy says “on the same side” with Lebanon after talks in US
“Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that the long-awaited conversation “will happen tomorrow.”
Trump did not specify which officials would take part.
War backdrop
The planned talks come amid a widening conflict along Lebanon’s southern border, where ‘Israeli’ forces have escalated air strikes and ground operations.
Lebanon was drawn deeper into the war on March two after Hezbollah resumed cross-border attacks. The group said its actions were in response to ‘Israel’s’ killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and continued ceasefire violations.
Read more: ‘Israeli’ battalion commander linked to Hind Rajab case severely wounded in Lebanon
Since then, more than 2,000 people in Lebanon have been killed and over 1.2 million displaced, according to local authorities. Entire neighborhoods in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s suburbs have been heavily damaged.
Expansion of military operations
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he had ordered the military to expand its offensive eastward in southern Lebanon.
He said ‘Israel’ is pursuing parallel tracks of military pressure and negotiations, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and secure what he described as a “sustainable peace.”
The Lebanese government, which is not directly engaged in the conflict, has called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of ‘Israeli’ troops from its territory.
Uncertain path ahead
Despite the diplomatic signal, conditions on the ground remain volatile. Fighting continues in border areas, where ‘Israeli’ forces have faced sustained resistance.
Large parts of southern Lebanon remain under attack or occupation, raising urgent questions about when displaced civilians can safely return.
Even if talks begin, analysts say bridging the gap between military escalation and political settlement will be a major challenge in the days ahead.
