Aoun has refused to engage with Netanyahu as long as Israeli troops are still in Lebanon.<\/p>\n
US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon wrapped up on Wednesday in Rome, with a State Department spokesperson calling this round\u2019s two days of discussions \u201cproductive and positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, an exact timeline for when Israel will fulfill its pledges to withdraw from two small pilot zones in south Lebanon has still not been offered.<\/p>\n
\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260709__B9QQ7WF__v1__HighRes__LebanonIsraelUsIranWar-e1783784691336-640x400.jpg\")
\n\t\tThis handout picture released by the Lebanese Presidency\u2019s press office shows Lebanon\u2019s President Joseph Aoun (L) receiving US Ambassador to Lebanon Michael Issa at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on July 9, 2026. (Lebanese Presidency\/AFP)<\/p>\n
Netanyahu has visited the US to meet with Trump seven times since the US leader was inaugurated for his second term last year. This visit would mark Netanyahu\u2019s first since the US and Israel launched their joint campaign against Iran in late February.<\/p>\n
His office was expected to release details of his US trip later on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The White House has not confirmed the visit.<\/p>\n
After longtime South Carolina senator Graham passed away, Netanyahu eulogized him as one of Israel\u2019s \u201cgreatest friends,\u201d praising him for his decades of stalwart support for Israel in Washington and for devoting his life to \u201cdefending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world.\u201d<\/p>\n
A date for the funeral has not been announced.<\/p>\n
\t A US official said<\/a> Tuesday that no meeting between Netanyahu and Trump has been scheduled.<\/p>\n A potential meeting would be the pair\u2019s first sit-down since Trump publicly insulted Netanyahu over matters relating to the fighting in Iran and against Tehran\u2019s proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah. The US leader referred to the prime minister as \u201cfucking crazy,\u201d saying he had \u201cno fucking judgment\u201d and that he \u201cknows who the boss is.\u201d<\/p>\n Netanyahu has sought to downplay those comments, insisting<\/a> earlier this month that \u201cAmerica has no greater ally than Israel and Israel has no greater ally than the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n According to a report by the Kan broadcaster, Netanyahu is expected to stay in the US until at least the following Sunday, the date of the World Cup final match, which is being hosted in New Jersey.<\/p>\n The report speculated that the premier may look to attend the match as Trump\u2019s guest, potentially alongside fellow Israel ally Argentine President Javier Milei, whose national team is currently in the semifinals, facing off against England Wednesday night for a spot against Spain in the final match. The report did not offer details of any specific plans for Netanyahu to attend the match.<\/p>\n That would mean Netanyahu would remain in the US for Tisha B\u2019Av fast day on Thursday, the Jewish day of mourning that\u00a0principally mourns the destruction of the two ancient Jewish temples that stood in Jerusalem and that were destroyed millennia ago.<\/p>\n Ahead of the expected trip, Netanyahu\u2019s office asked Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker to postpone his scheduled visit next week, informing Vienna that Netanyahu would be in the US, The Times of Israel learned.<\/p>\n Stocker was slated to visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosts visiting US Senator Lindsey Graham in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026. (Maayan Toaf\/GPO)<\/p>\n
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