Trump hails historic talks, but Lebanese president refuses to speak with Netanyahu

President Trump pushing for ‘breathing room’ between Israel and Lebanon, says the two countries will hold high-level talks for the first time in decades.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday night that Israel and Lebanon will hold a high-level bilateral meeting on Thursday, amid a larger diplomatic effort to reach a ceasefire between the two countries.

In a post to his Truth Social account, Trump wrote that the United States is working to help create “breathing room” between the two countries.

He also touted the planned meeting, which he said was the first of its kind in 34 years.

“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!”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday confirmed that Israel is in direct talks with Lebanon for the first time in decades, though he did not directly comment on Trump’s claims of a high-level meeting planned for Thursday.

“We are conducting negotiations with Lebanon,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “These negotiations have not taken place for over 40 years. They are happening now because we are very strong, and nations are coming to us, not just Lebanon.”

“In the negotiations with Lebanon, there are two central goals: First, the disarming of Hezbollah, and second, a sustainable peace. Peace through strength.”

Science Minister Gila Gamliel did say that Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to speak by phone with Lebanon’s president.

However, two Lebanese officials cited in a report by the Turkish Anadolu Agency denied that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is slated to speak with Israeli leaders.

“We do not have any information at this time about a possible call between the Lebanese presidency and the Israeli side,” the officials said.

Later reports indicated that contact did take place, but without Israeli participation. According to Lebanese networks LBCI and MTV, Aoun spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and made clear he would not engage in a direct conversation with Netanyahu.