Donald Trump has announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks on Thursday in what could be an unprecedented engagement, although neither country has officially confirmed the plan.
The statement comes as Washington intensifies efforts to reduce tensions following the first direct diplomatic contact between the two nations in decades, with their ambassadors recently meeting in the US capital.
The conflict escalated after Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Lebanon, launched an attack on Israel on March 2, drawing Lebanon deeper into the ongoing regional crisis. Since then, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed over 2,000 people and displaced more than one million others, while ground troops have moved into southern Lebanon despite global calls for a ceasefire.
Trump, speaking via his Truth Social platform, said the planned talks are aimed at easing tensions and creating “breathing room” between both countries, though he did not disclose which leaders would be involved. However, a Lebanese official indicated that no such communication had been formally communicated through official channels, while the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to comment.
Analysts note that direct contact between the top leadership of both nations would be historic, as such engagement has not previously occurred. Past interactions have been limited to diplomatic-level meetings, including talks in Washington in the early 1990s following the Madrid peace process.
A senior US official explained that Washington is focused on fostering trust between both governments as a pathway toward a long-term peace agreement, rather than pushing for an immediate ceasefire. The official also clarified that ongoing US discussions with Iran are separate from efforts to resolve tensions between Israel and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israel has outlined key objectives in the talks, including dismantling Hezbollah and achieving lasting peace through a position of strength. On the other hand, Lebanon has called for an immediate ceasefire—an option Israel has so far rejected.
On the ground, hostilities continue, with Israeli forces urging civilians to evacuate parts of southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions. Clashes have also been reported in border areas such as Bint Jbeil, highlighting the fragile and volatile situation.