Trump says Israel-Lebanon leaders to speak after 34 years; Beirut denies knowledge

US President Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon’s leaders were expected to speak on Thursday, but Lebanon said it had no information confirming such contact.Trump wrote on Truth Social that Washington was “trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” adding, “It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow.”

He also said Israel-Lebanon talks “will happen tomorrow,” without naming participants or providing details.
As per an AFP report, a Lebanese official source said, “We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side, and we have not been informed of any through official channels.”The comments followed a meeting in Washington earlier in the week, described as the first direct talks between senior Israeli and Lebanese officials since 1993.

A senior US administration official said Trump would “welcome” an end to hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon, but said such an outcome is not part of US negotiations with Iran.

The official said the United States “wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire,” and added that negotiations with Iran are “not linked” to Israel-Lebanon talks.

The official said Washington is focused on building trust between the Lebanese and Israeli governments “so that we can create space for a peace deal,” adding that “both sides need to build political momentum.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the talks have two objectives: “First, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace… achieved through strength.”