U.S. President Donald Trump is ready to consider direct talks with Hezbollah if such a dialogue could help end the conflict between the group and Israel and pave the way for peace, Edward Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), said Wednesday.

Speaking to Al Jadeed television, Gabriel said he had discussed the possibility with American officials at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, who told him Trump was seriously considering engaging Hezbollah directly.

“President Trump is ready to talk to Hezbollah if he believes doing so could help end the conflict and achieve peace,” Gabriel said.

He cautioned, however, that Washington currently believes Hezbollah itself has not shown sufficient seriousness about entering such talks.

The United States designates Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

Asked about the Lebanese army's role and the “pilot areas” from which Israeli forces are expected to withdraw under the framework agreement, Gabriel expressed confidence in the army's ability to assume greater responsibility in southern Lebanon.

“The Lebanese army is ready to deploy in additional pilot areas when the time is right,” he said.

Gabriel said Washington should renew and strengthen its support for the Lebanese military so it can continue expanding its deployment in southern Lebanon.

“The United States needs to renew its support for the Lebanese army so that it can continue its deployment,” he said.

Gabriel also argued that Israel could not indefinitely avoid withdrawing from additional Lebanese territory as part of the framework's direct negotiations between Beirut and Israel.

“Israel cannot ignore the need to withdraw from additional Lebanese territory through direct negotiations with the Lebanese side,” he said.

He described Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's initiative to launch direct negotiations as “courageous,” suggesting that the process could provide a diplomatic path toward reducing tensions and implementing the broader framework.