Israel signals ceasefire talks after ‘tense’ Trump call (Img: Internet)
Washington: A recent phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was described as “tense,” according to media reports.
The discussion indicated that Trump signalled the possibility of the United States moving ahead independently with a ceasefire framework if Israel did not initiate direct talks with Lebanon.
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The call reportedly took place shortly before Israel announced its intention to pursue direct ceasefire discussions with Lebanon. Diplomatic activity around a potential truce has intensified in recent days.
This was the third conversation between the two leaders within a week, underlining the urgency of efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region.
During earlier discussions, Netanyahu is said to have urged that Lebanon-related issues be kept separate from broader negotiations involving Iran. The differing positions reflect complexities in managing multiple conflict fronts in West Asia.
The United States, however, has been pushing for a coordinated approach to stabilise the region and prevent further escalation.
Officials from Israel and Lebanon are expected to meet in Washington next week as part of efforts led by the United States to broker a ceasefire.
The talks aim to address ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which have intensified in recent weeks.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties. Lebanese authorities report that over 1,800 people have been killed since the escalation began, while Israeli officials have reported casualties from Hezbollah rocket fire.
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The violence has also displaced large numbers of civilians, adding to humanitarian concerns.
The escalation threatens to derail a fragile ceasefire understanding between the United States and Iran. Efforts are ongoing to prevent the conflict from widening further.
With multiple diplomatic tracks in motion, the coming days are expected to be crucial in determining whether a sustainable ceasefire can be achieved.
