Israel and Lebanon set for direct talks as US pushes for de-escalation

 (Photo: AFP)













Israel and Lebanon set for direct talks as US pushes for de-escalation

By: Lydia Ibrahim Gasi
Donald Trump has announced that senior officials from Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold discussions on Thursday, in what appears to be a renewed diplomatic effort by Washington to reduce tensions between the two sides.

Speaking via his Truth Social platform, Trump said the planned engagement follows recent meetings in Washington, which he described as the first direct contact between high-level representatives of both countries in decades.

The development comes amid ongoing conflict linked to the Israel-Hezbollah confrontation, which escalated after Lebanon was drawn into wider regional hostilities earlier this year following attacks by Hezbollah.

Since the escalation began, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have reportedly resulted in heavy casualties and large-scale displacement, with international actors repeatedly calling for restraint and a ceasefire.

A senior United States administration official stated that while Washington would welcome an end to hostilities, such an outcome is not formally tied to separate negotiations involving Iran. The official added that the US objective is to build confidence between Beirut and Tel Aviv to create conditions for a longer-term political settlement rather than an immediate ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously indicated that Israel’s priorities in any discussions include the dismantling of Hezbollah and the pursuit of a durable peace arrangement, which he described as dependent on military and political leverage.

Washington says the current diplomatic push is aimed at creating “political momentum” that could eventually support a more stable and lasting agreement between both countries.

Comments

  1. CardioApril 16, 2026 at 1:50 AM

    May it be of ease

    ReplyDelete
  2. EN DYApril 16, 2026 at 2:21 AM

    Hope for the best and prepare for the worst

    ReplyDelete
  3. Seth MikeApril 16, 2026 at 6:29 AM

    It will be better if there'll be an agreement between both countries .

    ReplyDelete
  4. KalbanApril 16, 2026 at 4:46 PM

    I hope it goes well

    ReplyDelete

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