• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly planning a trip to Washington to meet President Donald Trump as soon as next week, according to an Israeli source.
  • Trump is pushing to extend and expand the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, currently set to expire in mid-May, and is proposing a rare high-level meeting between Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
  • Aoun has declined a direct call with Netanyahu, and his participation remains uncertain amid ongoing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

A Diplomatic Push

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington in the coming weeks for talks with President Donald Trump, an Israeli source said, as the U.S. leader works to solidify a longer-lasting ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The visit could occur as soon as next week or the following one.

Trump is driving a three-week extension of the truce, which is set to expire in mid-May, and is exploring broader diplomatic engagement. Among the proposals is a trilateral meeting involving Netanyahu, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and potentially U.S. mediators—an unprecedented step given the lack of formal relations between the two countries.

Uncertainty on the Ground

However, Aoun has already declined a direct call with Netanyahu, according to people familiar with the matter, and his participation in any face-to-face meeting remains uncertain. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have continued, complicating efforts to build trust.

“The U.S. is working to align all parties around a more durable arrangement, but the details are still being negotiated,” one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There are still significant hurdles.”

Broader Implications

A sustained ceasefire could reduce cross-border violence and open the door for broader regional diplomacy, including discussions on security arrangements and humanitarian relief. However, Hezbollah’s role remains a sticking point; the group has not publicly committed to any extended truce.

Analysts say the involvement of Trump in facilitating talks signals a shift in U.S. Middle East policy, with potential implications for Iran-related leverage and energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

For now, the timeline remains fluid. “We’re watching closely,” the official added. “A lot depends on the next few days.”