According to a New York Post report, President Donald Trump is urging restraint from Israel as delicate diplomacy with Iran hangs in the balance.
Trump has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back strikes in Lebanon that risk unraveling a fragile cease-fire framework tied to broader regional talks, according to reports.
While both leaders have maintained that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah falls outside the scope of the Iran cease-fire, Trump reportedly pressed Netanyahu to act as a “helpful partner” ahead of negotiations.
Vice President JD Vance said Israel has already signaled a willingness to ease its military posture.
“The Israelis… have actually offered to check themselves a little bit in Lebanon because they want to make sure that our negotiation is successful,” Vance told reporters during a visit to Budapest.
Q: "There seems to be a disagreement about whether Lebanon was included in this proposal…Would you ask Israel to hold off strikes?"
VP Vance: "The Iranians thought the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn't…The Israelis have offered to check themselves in Lebanon." pic.twitter.com/m762PIhHVZ
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 8, 2026
The comments came after one of the war’s most intense bombardments, with reports indicating more than 250 people were killed in a matter of minutes.
Following U.S. outreach, Netanyahu said Israel would move toward opening direct negotiations with Lebanon.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests… I instructed the cabinet to begin direct negotiations… as soon as possible,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
The talks are expected to focus on disarming Hezbollah and restoring stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Negotiations are slated to begin next week in Washington, with U.S. representation led by Ambassador Michel Issa, according to reports.
Even as diplomatic channels open, military pressure continues.
The Israel Defense Forces issued new evacuation warnings for parts of southern Beirut, signaling that operations against Hezbollah infrastructure are ongoing.
“Out of concern for your safety, you must evacuate immediately,” IDF Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee said.
🚨 IT'S OFFICIAL: Israel PM Netanyahu is moving toward PEACE talks in Lebanon after Iran warned that the ceasefire could fall apart if they kept obliterating Hezbollah in Beirut
"I instructed the Cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon."
JD Vance, Steve… pic.twitter.com/sTTgAFHANI
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 9, 2026
More over at The New York Post:
Trump urges Netanyahu to scale back Lebanon strikes – as Israel set to negotiate with Beirut https://t.co/jMzwOVzlfN pic.twitter.com/K2FLL7Yyyq
— New York Post (@nypost) April 9, 2026
