President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will permit U.S. airline carriers to resume direct flights to Lebanon, a route that has been suspended for more than 40 years. The suspension was initially put in place by President Ronald Reagan's administration in 1985 following the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.
This decision was disclosed shortly after Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House. During their meeting, Trump pledged significant assistance to Lebanon, stating, "We're gonna help it a lot." Aoun's visit to Washington was aimed at fostering long-term stability in the region amid ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Diplomatic Engagement and Regional Tensions
The U.S. has previously advocated for peace in Lebanon but has faced increasing distraction from escalating tensions with Iran, which have contributed to instability across the Middle East. President Trump has recently expressed limited interest in direct talks with Iranian leadership to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Lebanon and Israel have engaged in rare direct discussions, mediated by Washington. Aoun's visit marked the first time a Lebanese president had visited the White House since 2009. Trump described Lebanon as "a very badly treated place and country" and vowed it would be "properly treated and treated with the respect it deserves."
Progress and Challenges in the Peace Process
Lebanon's objectives in Washington included securing the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and bolstering the Lebanese military's capacity to assert control in areas previously influenced by Hezbollah. Trump indicated that an Israeli withdrawal was underway, stating, "They're in the process of doing that. They're in the process of redeploying," though he offered no further details.
A framework agreement announced June 26 outlined a plan for Israeli troop withdrawal and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The implementation of this agreement was slated to begin in pilot zones. The U.S. State Department confirmed on Monday that operations had commenced in three villages within one pilot zone. However, the initial stages of these pilot zones have encountered difficulties.
The Lebanese military reported that Israeli troops fired near a deployment area on Tuesday. The Israeli military countered, stating that Lebanese soldiers had entered a non-pilot zone and that warning shots were fired. The Lebanese army disputed this account, asserting its soldiers were within the designated pilot zone and accused Israel of aggression.
Local Impact and Future Considerations
Local officials, such as Abed Ezzeldine, the mayor of Zawtar al-Gharbieh, expressed concerns about the safety of displaced residents returning to check on damaged homes. He noted that infrastructure was severely damaged and roads were bulldozed.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Aoun on Sunday, affirming Washington's support for the Lebanese agreement and its full implementation. Rubio emphasized that Lebanon could not achieve lasting peace without resolving the Hezbollah issue, suggesting the need for a strong government capable of being the sole authority on arms within the country. Skeptics in Lebanon, however, worry that confronting Hezbollah could precipitate a civil war.
Lebanon's leadership has called for investment in its infrastructure to empower the state. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have indicated plans to maintain a long-term military presence in a "security zone" in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has largely disregarded the U.S.-brokered talks, instead favoring Washington's negotiations with Iran. Lebanon's government, which came to power in early 2025 with a reformist agenda, aims to disarm all non-state groups, including Hezbollah, which it blames for escalating the conflict with Israel earlier in the year. Despite this, Beirut's leadership has condemned Israel's subsequent military actions in Lebanon, which have resulted in significant casualties and displacement.