United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Apr 15) that Israel and Lebanon talks will take place on Thursday.
“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. Nice!,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Israel’s Cabinet had met on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon, said a senior Israeli official.
Lebanese officials had also stated that a ceasefire could be announced soon, the Financial Times reported.
Ending the fighting in Lebanon was a key sticking point in earlier peace talks, along with how to deal with Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The current round of fighting was triggered by Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel on Mar 2, days after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, its principal ally and patron.
Since then, Israeli strikes have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than one million, despite international calls for a ceasefire, and Israeli ground forces have invaded south Lebanon.