Armored vehicles of the Lebanese army entering Zawtar Gharbieh, on July 21, 2026. (Credit: Fadel Itani/AFP)
BEIRUT — U.S. President Donald Trump "is ready to discuss with Hezbollah if that is likely to end the conflict [in Lebanon, with Israel, editor's note] and achieve peace," Edward Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), revealed Wednesday night during an interview with the local channel al-Jadeed.
The former U.S. ambassador said he "discussed this subject with Americans working at the embassy in Beirut, who confirmed that President Trump is seriously considering engaging in direct dialogue with Hezbollah." He added, however, that "the United States considers that for now, Hezbollah is not considering such talks seriously enough."
The Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organization in the United States. It resumed war against Israel on March 2, the second in less than three years, to support Iran against the offensive led by the United States and the Jewish state since Feb. 28.
This new front in southern Lebanon has had catastrophic repercussions, causing more than 4,000 deaths in the country, the destruction of dozens of cities and villages, and triggering a new Israeli occupation of over 600 square kilometers of Lebanese territory.
Lebanese authorities have engaged in direct talks with Israel since April, which led to the signing of a framework agreement at the end of June, a process completely rejected by the Shiite militia.
Asked during the interview about the Lebanese army and the pilot areas from which the Israeli army must withdraw (in accordance with the framework agreement), Gabriel expressed confidence in the Lebanese army's ability to take on additional responsibilities.
The troops "are ready to deploy in additional pilot areas at the appropriate time," he said. The establishment of a first pilot area in the locality of Zawtar Gharbieh in the Nabatieh district has not yet been followed by others.
For the ATFL president, the United States "must renew their support for the Lebanese Army so it can continue its deployment" in southern Lebanon.
Gabriel believes that "Israel cannot ignore the need to withdraw from additional Lebanese territory under direct negotiations with the Lebanese side," calling Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's initiative to launch these negotiations "courageous."
Seven rounds of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, under American sponsorship, have taken place first in Washington, then in Rome. But the last round, at the beginning of August, did not yield significant progress, against a backdrop of disputes over monitoring Hezbollah's disarmament after the Israeli withdrawal.
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