Trump Says Israeli, Lebanese Leaders To Talk On April 17: 'Trying To Get Breathing Room'

Washington: Following Israel and Lebanon's envoys to the US held direct talks in Washington, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that Israel-Lebanon talks will take place on Thursday, adding that the leaders of both the countries will speak for the first time in 34 years.

What did Donald Trump say?

A day after Israel and Lebanon’s envoys to the US held direct talks in Washington, the US President made the announcement on Wednesday. 

"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 wrote on Truth Social.

Although, Donald Trump did not specify who will be involved in the talks.

When did Israel and Lebanon's meeting happen?

Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday held a meeting in Washington, to discuss an end to Israeli attacks on its neighbour.

Lebanon and Israel have held their first diplomatic talks after three decades on Tuesday. The meeting marked the first major high-level engagement between Israel and Lebanon since 1993. 

According to a statement from the US State Department, in the meeting, Israel insisted on Hezbollah's disarmament and Lebanon called for a ceasefire and concrete measures to ease the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

As per the statement, all sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio mediated between Israel and Lebanon. This conversation has taken place at a time when preparations are being made for the second round of talks between Iran and America after the failure of the Islamabad talks. This has raised hopes of peace in the entire region. 

What did US say?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks between Lebanon and Israel as a historic opportunity. However, he made it clear that there would not be any immediate breakthrough agreement. Hezbollah is opposing the talks and no representative of its party attended the meeting.

In a statement issued by the US State Department, this has been described as a good step towards starting direct talks between Israel and Lebanon

The State Department said that America wants an agreement to end the hostilities to be reached between the two governments, in which America would be the mediator. 

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said after the talks that both Israel and Lebanon have agreed to work towards reducing the influence of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is an influential group in Lebanon, which controls a large area. 

Tommy Pigott further stated that Lebanon called for a ceasefire and concrete measures to address the grave humanitarian crisis in the country. He added that the United States expressed its support for Israel's right to defend itself from Hezbollah attacks.

What about Israeli attacks in Lebanon?

Israel launched attacks in Lebanon on March 2. Over 2,000 people have been killed in the nearly month-and-a-half of Israeli bombings in Lebanon. Fighting and attacks between Hezbollah and Israel continued until the two sides met on Tuesday.