United States President Donald Trump has announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to speak to each other on Thursday, marking the first time in 34 years for such a direct communication.
Diplomatic Breakthrough Amidst Regional Tensions
This significant announcement, shared by Trump on his Truth Social account on Wednesday, follows a day after Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held their initial direct diplomatic discussions in over three decades in Washington, DC. These talks were reportedly initiated with Lebanon seeking an end to Israel’s devastating attacks on its territory.
“Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” Trump wrote. “It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!” The US president did not specify which leaders would be involved in these anticipated discussions, and there has been no immediate comment from either Israel or Lebanon.
Context of the Conflict
Lebanon became embroiled in the broader regional conflict on March 2, following rocket attacks by the Iran-aligned group Hezbollah against Israel. Hezbollah stated that these attacks were in retaliation for what it claimed was Israel’s killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the first day of the conflict, and for Israel’s alleged near-daily violations of a ceasefire previously agreed upon in Lebanon.
Since then, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of more than 2,000 people in Lebanon and the displacement of approximately 1.2 million individuals. The Israeli military has also launched a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, aiming to secure more territory and establish what it refers to as a “buffer zone.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had ordered the military to expand the invasion in southern Lebanon, moving eastward. He indicated that Israel is pursuing negotiations with the Lebanese government alongside its military campaign against Hezbollah, with the goal of disarming the group and achieving a “sustainable peace” with its northern neighbor. The Lebanese government, which asserts it is not a party to the ongoing conflict, has stated its objective is a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.
Controversial Statement and Ongoing Violence
Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr described the US president’s remarks as “controversial,” noting the absence of information from the Lebanese government regarding Trump’s statement. “This is really a taboo in Lebanon for a Lebanese leader and Israeli leader to speak at a time that both countries are still technically at war, at a time that Israel continues to attack the country,” she explained.
Khodr suggested that Trump might be hinting at a potential ceasefire, highlighting the US administration’s strong push to separate the Lebanon front from the Iran front. “This is what the whole meeting was about in Washington, DC – a photo opportunity and attempt to make sure that Hezbollah influence is weakened over Lebanon and that Iran’s influence is weakened over Lebanon,” she added.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Israel has continued to launch deadly attacks on Lebanese civilians. On Wednesday, the Israeli military carried out three consecutive strikes in the village of Mayfadoun, resulting in the deaths of four Lebanese paramedics and wounding six others. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, Israeli forces have killed at least 91 Lebanese medical workers since March 2 and struck several medical facilities.
Al Jazeera’s Khodr also reported additional Israeli attacks near one of the last remaining hospitals in southern Lebanon, located in the town of Tebnine. “There’ve been two consecutive days of strikes around that hospital. It is clear Israel doesn’t want this area to be liveable,” she stated, referring to Israeli attacks that have destroyed civilian infrastructure, including bridges and thousands of homes.
Fighting also persists around the town of Bint Jbeil. Israel’s military claims its troops have encircled the strategic hilltop town, but Hezbollah asserts its fighters inside the town are continuing to resist. Khodr noted that Israel is seeking a military gain to claim victory, with Bint Jbeil holding symbolic importance as it was not captured during the 2006 conflict.
Ultimately, Khodr concluded that both Israel and the US understand that disarming Hezbollah would likely necessitate a costly and difficult occupation of all of Lebanon. “Israel can continue to kill and destroy, but that will not change the fact that Hezbollah is not going to give up its arms. It needs the Lebanese government to partner with it in order for the disarmament process to begin,” she added, emphasizing the critical need to await developments regarding a potential ceasefire.
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