By Our Correspondent

National News – Israel and Lebanon leaders are expected to hold high-level peace talks on Thursday following an announcement by United States President Donald Trump, who said Washington is facilitating efforts to ease escalating hostilities between both countries.

The development comes after the first direct engagement between senior Israeli and Lebanese officials in decades, held in Washington earlier in the week.

The talks aim to address ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah, which intensified after the group launched an attack on Israel on March 2, drawing Lebanon into wider regional violence.

Since then, Israeli military operations have reportedly resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and the displacement of more than one million people, raising international concern.

The United States, acting as a mediator, is pushing for a durable peace framework that builds trust between Beirut and Tel Aviv without imposing an immediate ceasefire.

According to US officials, the goal is to create political momentum that can lead to a sustainable agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized two priorities in the negotiations: dismantling Hezbollah and achieving long-term security through strength-based peace.

US officials clarified that the Lebanon-Israel talks are separate from any discussions involving Iran, despite broader regional tensions.