Trump announces Israel and Lebanon leaders to hold talks amid efforts to ease hostilities

US President Donald Trump announced that leaders from Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to speak on Thursday, following the first direct talks between the rival nations in decades. This development comes as Washington aims to de-escalate tensions after Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East conflict in March due to an attack on Israel by the pro-Tehran group Hezbollah. Israeli strikes have since resulted in over 2,000 deaths and displaced more than a million people in Lebanon, with Israeli ground forces invading the country's south. Trump mentioned on Truth Social that he is "Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon," referencing a recent meeting in Washington, the first direct negotiations between senior officials from both countries since 1993. A senior US administration official, speaking anonymously, stated that Trump would welcome an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement, emphasizing that these discussions are separate from talks between Washington and Tehran. The official added that the US seeks a lasting peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire, focusing instead on building trust between the Lebanese and Israeli governments to create space for a durable peace deal. Netanyahu outlined two main objectives for the talks: the dismantling of Hezbollah and achieving a sustainable peace through strength.