Israel is promoting a halt to the war, at least temporarily, in southern Lebanon as a "gift" to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office in January 2025, the Washington Post reported.
According to the report, Minister Ron Dermer, who is close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner this week that Israel is interested in advancing a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, according to three current and former Israeli officials who provided information about the meeting to The Washington Post, in order to give an "early victory" to the president-elect's foreign policy.
Strategic Affairs Secretary Ron Dermer visited the Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump's private residence, and it was the first stop on his tour of visits to the United States, even before he traveled to the White House for talks with the Biden administration.
An Israeli source said: "There is an understanding that Israel will give something to Trump. That in January there will be an understanding about Lebanon."
Dermer's spokesman told the newspaper that he "discussed a wide range of issues" during his trip — but did not elaborate. Netanyahu's office and Trump's office declined to comment on the reports. Kushner's spokesman also did not respond to a request for comment.
