Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declined to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This followed comments from US President Donald Trump that the two leaders would hold a historic meeting. A Lebanese official stated, "We told the US that we are not ready to take that step." Lebanese officials have informed Israel and the US that they will not seek further negotiations until a ceasefire is reached between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel's security cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire agreement. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli officials indicated that Netanyahu and Aoun were scheduled to speak—following Israel and Lebanon's first direct dialogue in over four decades this week in Washington, D.C. Trump also posted on social media that the Israeli and Lebanese leaders would speak, but did not disclose any details such as the location or method of the call. Israel has stated that it is not currently seeking to end the war with Hezbollah. (Jinshi)