U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that leaders of Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks on Thursday, as Washington intensifies efforts to ease escalating hostilities.
The planned engagement comes after the first direct negotiations between senior officials from both countries in decades.
Trump said the discussions aim to create “breathing room” between the two nations following months of conflict.
The talks follow a recent meeting in Washington, marking the first high-level direct engagement between Israeli and Lebanese officials since 1993.
U.S. officials say the focus is on reducing tensions and laying the groundwork for a possible long-term peace arrangement.
Conflict Escalation and Humanitarian Impact
The latest crisis began after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, drawing Lebanon into the broader Middle East conflict.
Since then:
- Israeli airstrikes have killed over 2,000 people
- More than one million residents have been displaced
- Israeli ground forces have entered southern Lebanon
The situation has triggered global concern and renewed calls for a ceasefire.
Peace Talks Not Linked to Iran Negotiations
A senior U.S. official clarified that ongoing diplomatic efforts are separate from negotiations involving Iran.
While Washington supports an end to hostilities, it has not made an immediate ceasefire a formal condition of the talks.
Instead, U.S. diplomats are prioritising confidence-building measures between Israel and Lebanon to support a durable agreement.
Netanyahu Outlines Israel’s Objectives
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s goals in the talks include:
- Dismantling Hezbollah’s operational capacity
- Securing a long-term and sustainable peace
He emphasised that any agreement must be achieved “through strength.”
Focus on Building Trust
U.S. officials say the immediate priority is to build political momentum and trust between both sides.
They believe this approach could create the conditions needed for a lasting resolution to the conflict.
While the planned talks signal a diplomatic opening, the path to peace remains uncertain.
With military operations ongoing and deep-rooted tensions in place, the success of the discussions will depend on both sides’ willingness to compromise.
