First Contact in 34 Years? Trump Says Israel, Lebanon Leaders to Hold Talks
Rabat – US President Donald Trump said that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon are expected to speak to each other for the first time in 34 years. Officials from both countries have not confirmed the claim.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, saying the call would take place on Thursday and would help create “a little breathing room” between the two sides. He did not specify which leaders would take part.
However, Israeli minister Gila Gamliel suggested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could speak with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Lebanese officials, meanwhile, said they had no information about any planned talks.
The announcement came just a day after Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held rare direct talks in Washington, DC. Lebanon has been pushing for an end to Israel’s relentless attacks on its territory.
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks. Lebanon became more deeply involved in the Israel-US-Iran war on March 2, after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel. The group said it was responding to Israel’s actions, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader and repeated ceasefire violations.
Since then, Israeli strikes have killed more than 2,000 people in Lebanon and forced about 1.2 million to flee their homes. Israel has also expanded its ground invasion in southern Lebanon to create what it calls a “buffer zone.”
Netanyahu ordered the military on Wednesday to push further east in southern Lebanon. He said Israel is combining military action with diplomacy in hopes of disarming Hezbollah and achieving long-term security.
Lebanon’s government, which is not directly involved in the fighting, has called for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Trump’s statement has caused controversy in Lebanon, where direct talks with Israel remain highly sensitive. Speaking from Beirut, Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr said such contact is still seen as taboo while the two countries are technically at war.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon continue, killing four paramedics and wounding six others. Health officials say Israel has killed dozens of medical workers since early March, and targeted hospitals and civilian infrastructure.
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