Trump: "Israel and Lebanon to Hold Summit Tomorrow... First Meeting in 34 Years"

Mediation Efforts Intensify Ahead of Second Iran Talks
Hezbollah Also Agrees in Principle to Ceasefire

AP Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his social network service, Truth Social, that a summit between Israel and Lebanon would be held on April 16 (local time). If the summit between the two sides is successfully held, it is expected to result in a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the armed faction in Lebanon.

President Trump posted on Truth Social on April 15, saying, "We are working to create a breathing space between Israel and Lebanon," and added, "It has been 34 years since the two leaders last spoke. Finally, they will have a conversation tomorrow. It's a wonderful thing."

Previously, reports surfaced that, due to pressure from the United States, the Israeli government was considering a temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah. Channel 12, an Israeli media outlet, quoted a high-ranking Israeli government source on April 15 (local time) as saying, "The United States is pressuring the Israeli government to enter into a one-week temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah," and added, "Israel's security cabinet was urgently convened the previous night to discuss the issue of a temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah. However, they have not yet reached a final decision."

The ambassadors of both Israel and Lebanon held talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the U.S. State Department building in Washington, D.C., on April 14. After about two hours of discussions, the U.S. State Department released a statement saying, "All parties have agreed to begin direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and place."

Hezbollah also indicated that, in principle, it agrees to the possibility of a temporary ceasefire with Israel. Mahmoud Koumati, Vice Chairman of Hezbollah, stated in an interview with Lebanese media outlet Al Jadeed TV that "we are willing, in principle, to agree to a ceasefire with Israel, but returning to a ceasefire agreement like the one in 2024 is unacceptable," emphasizing, "At that time, only Hezbollah fulfilled its promises, while Israel either evaded or violated its obligations."

Iran has also expressed support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and head of the Iranian negotiating team, stated on X (formerly Twitter), "The Lebanon ceasefire will be the result of the solidarity between Hezbollah and the 'Axis of Resistance,'" urging the United States to honor its commitments under the agreement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.