President Donald Trump has announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will participate in direct discussions on Thursday, marking the first time leaders from both nations have engaged in such talks 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 exchanges in Washington, where US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa held discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This followed earlier meetings between Israeli and Lebanese diplomatic representatives this week, as both nations appear open to dialogue despite ongoing disagreements about preconditions.
However, confirmation of the meeting remains unclear. A Saudi Al-Arabiya correspondent reported Netanyahu’s expected participation in Thursday’s call with Aoun, but Lebanese government sources speaking to Kan News stated they had no knowledge of such arrangements.
The two sides continue to clash over fundamental terms for any agreement. Lebanese leadership, according to officials, wants a ceasefire established before entering 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 Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri opposes any direct dialogue with Israel, ceasefire or not. The publication quoted Berri as saying: “They came to the United States to achieve a ceasefire but returned to fight Hezbollah.”
Netanyahu convened his security cabinet on Wednesday to review potential negotiations with Lebanon. According to Walla news outlet, several ministers voiced their objections to implementing a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, a high-ranking Iranian official told Lebanese media that a preliminary agreement has emerged due to Iranian influence and would align with a ceasefire involving Tehran. These reports suggest the initiative aims to provide Iran with a diplomatic victory before upcoming negotiations, though Jerusalem officials have dismissed suggestions that any deal is close to completion.
