US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to join a phone call on Thursday between Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , however Aoun has rejected the presence of the Israeli premier.
Sources in the Lebanese Presidency told The New Arab that there would be no contact between Netanyahu and Aoun, but that correspondence with the US will continue. US President Donald Trump announced the planned call late on Wednesday, potentially marking the first high-level contact between the two sides in decades.
The announcement comes amid ongoing Israeli bombardment of Lebanon and renewed diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire.
"Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump did not provide further details about the proposed call.
Lebanese diplomatic sources told The New Arab on Thursday afternoon that Rubio will take part in the call alongside Aoun and Netanyahu.
The sources added that the call would be mediated by the US and the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. However, her office later denied any involvement.
A statement from the Lebanese Presidency on Thursday afternoon said that Aoun had received a call from Rubio, where he thanked him for Washington's efforts in reaching a ceasefire. The statement added that Rubio reaffirmed his continued efforts in reaching a truce and establishing peace. تلقى رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون اتصالاً هاتفيا من وزير الخارجية الاميركي ماركو روبيو شكره فيه على الجهود التي تقوم بها واشنطن من اجل التوصل لوقف إطلاق النار ودعمها على كافة المستويات / من جهته اكد روبيو استمراره بالمساعي القائمة للوصول إلى وقف لإطلاق النار تمهيدا لاحلال…
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) April 16, 2026 Sources also told The New Arab that Aoun carried out a series of internal calls where he discussed the issue of contacting Netanyahu, and received advice against it from several people, including from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Sources in the Lebanese presidency initially said they were "unaware" of any planned contact with Israel following Trump’s announcement, casting doubt on whether such talks had been agreed. However, Israeli minister Gila Gamliel said the call was expected to take place on Thursday.
The development comes a day after direct talks between the two sides began for the first time since 1993, though they ended without any concrete outcomes. Israeli escalation continues The diplomatic developments come as Israel continues its heavy bombardment of Lebanon, devastating entire areas and displacing large numbers of civilians.
Lebanese authorities say that since 2 March, Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,100 people and forced over one million people from their homes.
Netanyahu ordered the army late on Wednesday to expand what Israel describes as a "security zone" in southern Lebanon, a move widely seen as deepening its ground incursion into Lebanese territory.
Military operations across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley over the past 24 hours have killed more than 40 people and wounded dozens.
Israeli strikes also hit areas near Tebnin Hospital, raising further concerns about attacks in the vicinity of civilian infrastructure. Other targeted areas include Sarafand, Khiam, Dibbin, al-Hebbariyah and Nabatieh.
The Israeli army said five of its soldiers were wounded in clashes with Hezbollah fighters and evacuated, with Israeli media reporting the incident took place in Bint Jbeil, which has been under siege for days.
Israel also issued evacuation warnings to residents south of the Zahrani River, ordering them to move north, further adding to mass displacement.
Sources in the presidency said they were "unaware" of planned contact with Israel despite the announcement from Trump.
However, Israeli minister Gila Gamliel confirmed that such a call is set to take place on Thursday.
The move comes a day after direct negotiations between the two sides commenced for the first time in decades, despite ending without any concrete decisions.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli security cabinet also met to discuss a possible truce in Lebanon; however, reports state it concluded without any plans in place. Israeli strikes continue Meanwhile, Israel has continued to pound the country, killing over 2,100 people since 2 March, and displacing more than one million from their homes.
Netanyahu ordered the army late on Wednesday to expand the alleged "security zone" in southern Lebanon.
Military operations in the south of the country, including the Bekaa Valley, over the last 24 hours have killed more than 40 people and wounded dozens more.
An Israeli strike also targeted the vicinity of the Tebnin Hospital, while other areas targeted include the towns of Sarafand, Khiam, Dibbin, al-Hebbariyah and Nabatieh.
The Israeli army also announced that five Israeli soldiers were wounded in clashes with Hezbollah fighters and were later evacuated. Israeli outlet Yedioth Ahronoth confirmed the soldiers were wounded in Bint Jbeil, an area that has been besieged for several days by the Israeli army.
The Israeli army also issued an urgent warning to residents of southern Lebanon, located south of the Zahrani River, calling for them to evacuate to the north of the river.
Lebanon has repeatedly stressed that any negotiations must be preceded by a ceasefire.
Official Lebanese sources told The New Arab that while there were "many complications", particularly due to ongoing Israeli ground incursions in the south, diplomacy remains essential to reaching a solution.
Sources in the Amal movement said negotiations would be conducted by the Lebanese state "from a position of strength, not concessions", rejecting direct talks and calling instead for indirect negotiations through a mediation mechanism.
They added that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is continuing both internal and international efforts to secure a ceasefire.