Diplomatic breakthrough raises hopes of easing long-standing tensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that leaders of Israel and Lebanon are set to hold direct talks on Thursday, marking a rare moment of engagement after more than three decades.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the discussions aim to create “a little breathing room” between the two countries, which have not held leader-level talks in about 34 years. The White House has yet to confirm which officials will represent each side.
The planned talks follow a high-level diplomatic meeting in Washington earlier this week. The session, hosted by Marco Rubio, brought together Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in what the U.S. State Department described as the most significant engagement between the two governments since 1993.
The renewed dialogue comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing conflict involving Iran-backed groups. Washington has been pushing for de-escalation and broader diplomatic solutions in the Middle East.
While details of the agenda remain unclear, the announcement signals a possible shift toward dialogue after years of hostility and limited communication.
The outcome of the talks could shape the next phase of relations between the two neighboring states.