Donald Trump stated early Thursday that "leaders" of Israel and Lebanon will speak today, as part of mediated talks by United States to achieve a ceasefire.
"We are trying to create some breathing space between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Great!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social account at 23:26 US time (5:26 in Spain).
The meeting would follow the one held last Tuesday in Washington between Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, in the presence of US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Gila Gamliel, a member of Israel's security cabinet, confirmed on Israeli Army Radio that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, although a Lebanese source stated that the Lebanese government "has no information" about any planned contact with the Israeli leadership.
Israeli minister confirms Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese president
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, as stated on Thursday by Gila Gamliel, a member of Israel's security cabinet, on Israeli Army Radio. Reuters reports
However, a Lebanese source told Reuters that the Lebanese government "has no information" about any planned contact with the Israeli leadership.
Oil price hovers near $95
The price of Brent crude oil, the European benchmark, was down nearly 0.1% around 8:20 am on Thursday, hovering around $95 per barrel before the opening of European stock exchanges, compared to $72 before the US and Israel's attack on Iran.
Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil, the US benchmark, rose by 0.3% to $91.5 per barrel. Reported by Europa Press
Israel and Hezbollah continue clashes on the border
Despite Trump's announcement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah resumed "violent clashes" early this morning on the southern Lebanon border.
The fighting took place in the southern city of Bint Jbeil, as reported by the Lebanese official news agency (NNA), which also mentioned various bombings in several locations, including Al-Habbarieh, where a civilian was killed.
Israeli forces demolished homes in Bint Jbeil, attacked the Palestinian refugee camp Burj al-Shemali, and bombed the city of Tebnine, causing severe damage to its hospital.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah, as cited by NNA, claimed seven new attacks on military positions such as barracks, logistical bases, and radars in northern Israel or combat zones, except for one in the Golan Heights, Syrian territory occupied by the Israeli Army since 1967. Reported by Efe.
Lebanon "unaware" of upcoming contact with Israel
Lebanon is "unaware" of any upcoming contact with Israel, stated an official source to AFP, after US President Donald Trump announced that the leaders of both countries, in a state of war, will speak on Thursday.
"We are not aware of any planned contact with the Israeli side and have not been informed through official channels," said the source to AFP.
Trump states that "leaders" of Israel and Lebanon will speak on Thursday
Donald Trump announced that "leaders" of Israel and Lebanon will speak on Thursday, amid talks between the two countries to achieve a ceasefire.
"We are trying to create some breathing space between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Great!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
This announcement, without specifying who he refers to as "leaders," comes after the governments of both countries agreed to meet again to continue discussions around a ceasefire to pause Israeli attacks on Lebanon, initiated after the war with Iran.
Last Tuesday, Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, held a two-and-a-half-hour meeting in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott later stated that "all parties agreed to start direct negotiations on a mutually agreed date and location," according to Efe.
The negotiations, from which the Shiite group Hezbollah was excluded, marked the highest-level meeting between Israel and Lebanon since 1993.