A phone call between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been described as “tense” by US and Israeli sources, according to CNN. The conversation reportedly took place shortly before Israel signaled it would pursue direct ceasefire talks with Lebanon.
According to a source familiar with the discussion, Netanyahu came away with the impression that if Israel did not move toward negotiations, Trump might unilaterally announce a ceasefire. That assessment, the source suggested, may have influenced Israel’s decision to shift its position.
However, key details of the call remain unclear and have not been independently verified. Netanyahu’s office rejected the characterization of the conversation as “tense,” calling it “fake news” and insisting the exchange was “friendly” and conducted with mutual respect.
The Thursday call was reportedly the third conversation between the two leaders within a week, with Lebanon emerging as a central issue. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the two spoke ahead of Trump’s announcement of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, a move that reshaped the broader regional context.
During those earlier discussions, Netanyahu is said to have lobbied Trump to keep Lebanon separate from the framework of the Iran ceasefire. The position reflects Israel’s ongoing concerns over the activities of Hezbollah, which is backed by Tehran and viewed by Israel as a direct security threat.
A subsequent call reportedly took place a day later, during which Trump urged Netanyahu to scale back Israeli strikes against Hezbollah. This followed reports from Lebanon’s health ministry that Israeli airstrikes had killed more than 300 people in a single day.
The third call, on Thursday, appears to have preceded Israel’s announcement that it would pursue direct negotiations with Lebanon. It remains uncertain whether this shift was driven by US pressure, strategic recalculation, or a combination of both factors.
In the background, efforts to stabilize the region remain fragile. While a temporary ceasefire with Iran is in place, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border continue, with the risk of further escalation still high.
US and Israeli officials have publicly emphasized close coordination between the two allies. However, reports of differences in tone and approach suggest the relationship may be more complex behind closed doors.
For now, the prospect of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon marks a significant, though uncertain, step. Whether these negotiations will lead to a durable ceasefire or remain a short-term diplomatic effort is likely to become clearer in the coming days.