President Trump announced the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak to one another — for the first time in decades — on Thursday.
“Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday. “It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years.
“It will happen tomorrow. Nice! President DJT.”
President Trump didn’t comment on who might be involved in the talks, and neither did Israel or Lebanon.
But, Gila Gamilel, who is part of Israel’s security cabinet, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be speaking to his counterpart Joseph Aoun, Al Jazeera reported.
Talks were held between Israeli and Lebanese negotiators in Washington Tuesday – but the Jewish State continues to target Iranian-backed Hezbollah by striking southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu said in a video message the primary goal of Israel’s operation is to “dismantle” Hezbollah.
At least 20 people were killed after Israel launched more attacks Wednesday, according to state media cited by Al Jazeera.
Beirut also came under attack — with strikes reported in the coastal town of Saadiyat and a highway in Jiyeh, located 12 miles from the Lebanese capital.
The Israeli Defense Forces have continued to issue evacuation orders to residents in southern Lebanon, and more than 2,000 people in Lebanon have been killed.
Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli Ambassador to the US, said he was encouraged by a “wonderful exchange” following the talks — but no ceasefire has yet been reached.
“The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah,” he said.
“Iran has been weakened. Hezbollah is dramatically weakened. This is an opportunity.”
A cease-fire to the hostilities in Lebanon doesn’t appear imminent. Netanyahu’s security cabinet met Wednesday but no deal was reached.
And, Hezbollah says it will not abide by any agreements that may stem from the talks.
“As for the outcomes of this negotiation between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy, we are not interested in or concerned with them at all,” Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah official, said.
“We are not bound by what they agree to.”
Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah lawmaker, said the option of negotiating with Israel, which he described as the “enemy,” is “wrong.”
With Post wires
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