BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 16 - U.S. President Donald Trump said leaders from Lebanon and Israel will speak, writing that he was "trying to get a little bit of breathing room" between the two countries after more than six weeks of hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
In a social media post published shortly before midnight on Wednesday, Washington time, Trump wrote: "It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!" The message did not specify which Lebanese and Israeli leaders would be involved or provide additional details about timing or format.
Requests for comment to the Israeli Prime Minister's office received no immediate response. There was also no immediate reply to inquiries directed to the offices of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The current conflict escalated after the U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran, with Iran-backed Hezbollah opening fire in support of Tehran on March 2, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon just 15 months after the prior round of fighting. Washington expressed optimism on Wednesday about the possibility of securing an agreement to end the broader confrontation with Iran.
Late on Wednesday, Israel's security cabinet met to consider a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, according to a senior Israeli official. Two senior officials - one Israeli and one Lebanese - said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was under substantial pressure from Washington to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon.
In a video statement released late on Wednesday, Netanyahu said the Israeli military continued to strike Hezbollah positions and was close to "overcoming" the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil.
A senior Lebanese official said Beirut's assessment was that Israel wanted to secure a victory in Bint Jbeil before any diplomatic progress could be made.
Summary of developments:
- President Trump announced an upcoming conversation between leaders of Lebanon and Israel, aiming to reduce immediate tensions.
- The announcement did not identify which leaders would speak or provide logistical details.
- Israeli security decision-makers convened to discuss a Lebanon ceasefire as U.S. officials reportedly urged Israel toward a diplomatic resolution.
Despite diplomatic gestures, both the Israeli military and Hezbollah-related activity remained active on the ground, and officials on both sides had not confirmed the details of any planned leader-to-leader communication.