Lebanese sources deny knowledge of reported presidential call with Israel

There is no information about a reported call between Lebanon's presidency and Israel, two Lebanese official sources said Thursday after US President Donald Trump said talks could take place. "We do not have any information at this time about a possible call between the Lebanese presidency and the Israeli side," the sources told Anadolu.

Trump's announcement

Trump said Wednesday in a post on Truth Social that Washington is "trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow."

US-hosted meeting

The announcement follows a meeting on Tuesday at the State Department between Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio alongside other US officials. The Hezbollah group was not represented in the meeting and rejects the move.

Israeli confirmation

In Israel, Science Minister Gila Gamliel said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to hold a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. There was no immediate confirmation from senior Israeli officials about the reported call.

Conflict context

Israel has continued attacks in southern Lebanon following a cross-border strike by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement. Lebanese health authorities say more than 2,000 people have been killed and well over one million displaced since March.