Trump says Israel and Lebanon leaders will hold first talks in 34 years
United States President Donald Trump has announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon are set to speak on Thursday, marking their first direct contact in 34 years.
The announcement comes amid escalating violence in the region and follows a rare diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Envoys representing Israel and Lebanon held direct talks in Washington, DC, a day earlier, focusing on efforts to halt Israel’s ongoing attacks.
Trump revealed the development on his Truth Social platform, stating that the talks aim to create “a little breathing room” between the two sides. He emphasised the significance of the moment, noting how long it had been since the leaders of the two countries last communicated.
“It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow,” he said.
The US president did not provide details on which leaders would participate in the discussions or the format the talks would take.
The planned dialogue takes place against the backdrop of a widening conflict that has drawn Lebanon into a broader regional war. Fighting intensified after Hezbollah resumed attacks on Israel on March 2, aligning itself with Iran amid escalating tensions.
Hezbollah said its actions were in response to Israel’s killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, as well as what it described as repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon in November 2024.
Since the resurgence of hostilities, the humanitarian toll has been severe. Israeli military operations have resulted in more than 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and have displaced over 1.2 million people, according to reports.
Airstrikes have hit residential areas, adding to the destruction and deepening the crisis for civilians already caught in the conflict. In Beirut, scenes of devastation continue to emerge, with families grieving losses and entire communities disrupted.
The Israeli military has also expanded its campaign beyond air operations, launching a ground invasion in southern Lebanon. Officials say the objective is to secure additional territory and establish what they describe as a “buffer zone” along the border.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had ordered further expansion of military operations towards the eastern part of southern Lebanon. At the same time, he indicated that Israel remains engaged in negotiations with the Lebanese government.
Netanyahu said the dual approach of military action and diplomacy is aimed at disarming Hezbollah and achieving what he described as a “sustainable peace” with Lebanon.
The announcement of direct talks between the two countries’ leaders introduces a rare diplomatic dimension to an otherwise intensifying conflict. The last time such communication took place was more than three decades ago, underscoring the significance of the upcoming discussions.
However, the situation remains highly volatile. The scale of the ongoing military campaign, combined with the humanitarian impact and unresolved political tensions, presents significant challenges to any immediate breakthrough.
The talks are expected to focus on reducing hostilities and exploring pathways towards de-escalation. Whether they can lead to meaningful progress remains uncertain, particularly given the complexity of the conflict and the involvement of multiple actors across the region.
For now, the planned conversation represents a moment of potential change in a conflict defined by decades of hostility and recent escalation. As both sides continue military operations, the world will be watching closely to see whether dialogue can open the door to even a temporary easing of tensions.