President Donald Trump has revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun are scheduled to hold discussions Thursday, marking what would be the first direct communication between the two nations’ leaders in more than three decades.
Trump shared the news on his Truth Social platform, stating: “Trying to achieve a small breathing space between Israel and Lebanon. It’s been a long time since the two leaders spoke, something like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow.”
The development comes after a series of diplomatic meetings in Washington, where US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa held discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This follows earlier meetings this week between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors as both nations appear open to dialogue, despite ongoing disagreements about negotiation terms.
A correspondent from Saudi television network Al-Arabiya confirmed Netanyahu’s expected participation in Thursday’s conversation with Aoun. However, official Lebanese sources speaking to Kan News indicated they had no knowledge of such a scheduled meeting.
The diplomatic efforts face significant challenges, as Lebanese leadership seeks a ceasefire before beginning formal negotiations, while Israel maintains it will not suspend military activities as a prerequisite for talks. Adding complexity to the situation, Al-Akhbar newspaper, which has ties to Hezbollah, reported that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri opposes any direct dialogue with Israel, whether or not a ceasefire exists.
“They came to the United States to achieve a ceasefire but returned to fight Hezbollah,” Berri stated, according to the newspaper’s reporting.
Netanyahu convened his security cabinet Wednesday to examine potential negotiations with Lebanon, according to reports from Walla, which noted that several ministers voiced opposition to ceasefire arrangements.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking Iranian official told Lebanese media that a preliminary agreement had emerged due to Iranian influence and would align with a ceasefire involving Tehran. These reports suggest the initiative aims to provide Iran with diplomatic gains before additional negotiations, though Jerusalem officials dismissed suggestions that an agreement was close to completion.
