Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington in mid-May to participate in a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The high-level summit remains conditional on the continuation of the current truce according to Israeli Channel 15.
US President Donald Trump stated , that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun are expected to visit Washington “over the next couple of weeks” during a newly extended three-week Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.
Truce Extension Context
The announcement followed the second round of US-mediated ambassador-level talks in Washington between Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad. Trump declared the fragile ceasefire initially 10 days extended by three weeks to allow further negotiations aimed at stabilizing the border, ending hostilities, and addressing southern Lebanon issues.
Conditional Nature and Lebanese Stance
Israeli media, including Channel 15 reports referenced in queries, frame any high-level Netanyahu-Aoun meeting as conditional on truce continuation. Lebanese President Aoun has repeatedly clarified he has no plans for direct contact or a meeting with Netanyahu, citing domestic pressures from Hezbollah and emphasizing focus on ceasefire extension, Israeli withdrawal from southern areas, and Lebanese army deployment to the border. Aoun expressed hope for his own Washington visit to meet Trump but denied any agenda involving Netanyahu.
Significance
This marks unprecedented US-brokered direct Israel-Lebanon engagement at ambassador level, the first in decades, amid ongoing tensions. Progress hinges on Hezbollah disarmament concerns and truce compliance. No firm mid-May date is confirmed; timing aligns with the three-week window.