Trump says Israel and Lebanon leaders to speak Thursday for first time in 34 years

US President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will hold a direct conversation on Thursday, marking their first direct communication in approximately three decades. “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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Rubio hosted envoys on Tuesday

The announcement follows a meeting Tuesday at the State Department between Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio alongside US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and other officials. The Hezbollah group was not represented in the meeting. Trump said last week that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce strikes on Lebanon and was told Israel would be “scaling back” operations.

Ongoing hostilities

Despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israel has continued attacks in southern Lebanon following a Hezbollah cross-border strike on March 2. Lebanese health authorities report that more than 2,000 people have been killed and over one million displaced since March. The planned leader-level call represents a significant diplomatic step after decades of hostility.