Trump says Israel and Lebanon will meet for first time in years

by · Mail Online

Donald Trump has announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will meet for the first time in over three decades, signaling a potential breakthrough in the war in Iran.

'Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,' the president wrote on Truth Social late Wednesday night. 

'It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow.'

The president did not make clear exactly who would attend the talks. The peace negotiations between the two nations are the first to occur since 1993.

The military campaign between Lebanon and Israel has become a major sticking point in Trump’s quest to bring an end to the war in Iran.

The Israeli-US strikes against Iran on March 2 intensified already frayed relationships in the region. 

Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, has been participating in the armed conflict by launching missile attacks against Israel. 

Israel's retaliation in Lebanon has resulted in a catastrophic death toll, with estimates exceeding 2,000 Lebanese casualties. More than one million people have also been forced to flee their homes. 

Earlier this month, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the nation was planning to set up a security zone on Lebanese territory, which would prevent thousands from returning to their homes. 

Donald Trump, pictured above at the White House earlier this week, shared a late-night announcement alluding to more peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel 
It wasn't clear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would attend the talks
The announcement follows a discussion on Tuesday between (left to right) US State Department Counselor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter

In an effort to broker peace, several Lebanese and Israeli officials met at the US Department of State headquarters in Washington DC on Tuesday. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the meeting, which included Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. 

'We discovered today that we're on the same side of the equation, and that's the most positive thing we could have come away with,' Leiter said after the meeting. 

He added that the discussion focused on a 'clearly delineated border' between Israel and Lebanon.

'The security of our civilians is not up for negotiation. This was a victory for sanity, for responsibility and for peace,' Leiter said.

Leiter also declared that both nations were 'united in liberating Lebanon' from Hezbollah.  

Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad called the meeting 'productive' while Rubio noted that the talks are a 'process.' 

Rubio added: 'It's a historic gathering that we hope to build on.'

Instability between Lebanon and Israel has contributed to the enduring conflict in the region. 

Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, pictured above on Tuesday, was involved in the recent negotiations
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, pictured above, declared that both nations were 'united in liberating Lebanon' from Hezbollah after the meeting 
Rubio, pictured above in between Needham and Issa, called the talks 'historic' and 'productive' 

Hezbollah wields significant power, with experts doubting the ability to achieve peace without the militant group on board. Lebanese authorities have no control over the group and do not speak for them. 

Hezbollah was founded on anti-Israel sentiments and is considered a terrorist organization by the US. 

The group is a Shiite Muslim political party. Hezbollah launched strikes against Israel after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

In a televised speech ahead of Tuesday's negotiations, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called on Lebanese officials not to attend the talks. 

He said the meeting was a ploy to pressure Hezbollah into laying down their weapons against Israel, adding: 'We will not rest, stop or surrender. Instead, we will let the battlefield speak for itself.' 

Despite Hezbollah's defiant stance, the recent negotiations have stoked optimism for a cease-fire. 

Hezbollah, Israeli and Lebanese officials told the New York Times on Wednesday that Israel was considering a short-term cease-fire in Lebanon. 

One of the Israeli officials, who was not named, told the publication that the government has yet to sign off on the truce but that it could be further discussed at a cabinet meeting. 

Two of the Israeli officials added that the looming cease-fire could be implemented as early as Thursday and would last about a week. 

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem, pictured above in 2023, urged Lebanon officials against participating in the negotiations 
Despite negotiations, airstrikes have continued in the region. Pictured above is the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Wednesday 

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would allow more fruitful peace talks between the US and Iran as Trump seeks an off-ramp to the conflict. 

A senior Israeli official also told Reuters that cabinet members met on Wednesday to discuss a possible cease-fire in Lebanon. 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration feels 'good about the prospects of a deal,' calling the negotiations 'productive and ongoing.' 

Amid the peace negotiations, conflict has continued in the region. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported on Wednesday that at least 20 people were killed in Israeli strikes. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message that Israeli forces would continue strikes against Hezbollah and bolster the 'security zone' in the southern part of the nation. 

Over 2,000 people have died in Lebanon and a million have been displaced since the war in Iran began in March. Pictured above is a displacement in Beirut on Wednesday 

Lebanon and Israel have engaged in peace negotiations in 1983 and 1993. However, following the Hamas-led attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, the conflict drastically escalated.

A fragile cease-fire was implemented at the end of 2024, but was never fully enforced. 

It's unclear who will be participating in the negotiations on Thursday. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for more information on the president's announcement.