President Donald Trump escalated his Middle East peace push Thursday, announcing he will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House for their first meaningful diplomatic talks in over four decades.
The invitation follows the successful negotiation of a 10-day ceasefire between the two nations, set to begin today at 5 P.M. EST.
“I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!”
The upcoming summit marks a historic shift in relations, as the two neighbors have been technically at war for decades. Trump noted that it has been roughly 34 years since leaders from the two countries have even spoken, characterizing the breakthrough with a brief, “Nice!”
READ: The 10-Day Countdown: Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Israel And Lebanon
Earlier in the day, the President confirmed that both leaders had agreed to the temporary truce after a series of “excellent conversations.”
To ensure the ceasefire holds and transitions into a broader agreement, Trump has directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to work alongside General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A statement from President Aoun’s office in Beirut confirmed the discussions, stating that Aoun “renewed his thanks for the efforts Trump is exerting to reach a ceasefire” and thanked him for working to “secure lasting peace and stability” in the region. According to the Lebanese readout, Trump emphasized his personal commitment to fulfilling the request for a cessation of hostilities as quickly as possible.
The diplomatic push comes at a critical moment on the ground. For the past six weeks, Israel has carried out a significant military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese health ministry, the conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths. The Lebanese government also reports that more than 1 million residents have been displaced as Israeli ground forces occupied portions of southern Lebanon.
Despite earlier reports in Lebanese media suggesting a reluctance to engage in direct contact, the formal invitation to the White House signals a shift toward high-level engagement aimed at ending the ongoing violence.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
