US President Donald Trump has said that Lebanese and Israeli leaders are expected to hold their first direct talks in decades on Thursday, as international efforts intensify to calm rising tensions linked to the broader Middle East conflict.
The announcement comes amid Pakistan’s assertion that lasting peace in Lebanon is key to wider negotiations involving the United States and Iran, aimed at ending the ongoing regional hostilities.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Tahir Andrabi, said Islamabad’s mediation efforts are focused on ensuring regional stability remains central to any diplomatic breakthrough.
The conflict in Lebanon has worsened following the escalation of the US-Iran confrontation, which reportedly spilled into the region, with Iran-backed Hezbollah joining the fighting in early March. The development has triggered renewed Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, fuelling fears of a wider regional war involving Israel.
Israeli officials confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to take part in the planned communication, describing it as the first high-level contact between both sides in more than 30 years. A member of Israel’s security cabinet said the move would represent a major diplomatic shift.
However, Lebanese authorities said they have no confirmation of any scheduled call between the two countries’ leadership. Both President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s offices said they were unaware of any confirmed engagement.
In Washington, Trump said efforts were underway to create “breathing room” between the parties, stressing that dialogue could begin soon after years of silence.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has rejected the diplomatic push, warning it could deepen internal divisions in Lebanon. The group has continued rocket attacks, while Israel maintains ongoing air and ground operations in southern Lebanon, particularly around border areas such as Bint Jbeil.
The United States has expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of a broader de-escalation deal, although officials say no formal ceasefire framework has yet been agreed.
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