Trump Announces 10-Day Ceasefire Between Israel and Lebanon

Trump also commented on the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, suggesting that peace talks with Tehran could resume as early as the weekend. However, he warned that if negotiations fail, fighting would resume. He added that he hopes Hezbollah will “act nicely” during the ceasefire period.

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, set to begin at 5 p.m. ET that day, following diplomatic talks in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

The temporary truce comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which maintains significant influence in Lebanon. Trump stated that the ceasefire was the result of “excellent conversations” with both leaders and expressed hope that it would lead to broader peace efforts in the region.

According to Trump, the agreement includes plans to invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for what he described as “the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.” He added that both sides share a desire for peace and that he believes a lasting agreement can be reached quickly.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement confirming that the two countries will work to establish conditions conducive to lasting peace, including mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, genuine security along their shared border, and preservation of Israel’s right to self-defense. The statement also acknowledged the challenges posed by non-state armed groups in Lebanon that undermine state sovereignty and regional stability.

Despite the announcement, reports emerged shortly after the ceasefire was set to begin that Israeli military activity continued in southern Lebanon. Lebanese news outlets, including L’Oriente-Le Jour, reported machine gun fire and shelling in border villages after midnight, indicating that Israeli forces had not fully halted operations as the truce took effect.

Trump also commented on the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, suggesting that peace talks with Tehran could resume as early as the weekend. However, he warned that if negotiations fail, fighting would resume. He added that he hopes Hezbollah will “act nicely” during the ceasefire period.

The ceasefire marks a rare diplomatic engagement between Israel and Lebanon, two countries that have not held high-level talks in over four decades. While the truce is temporary, officials said it aims to create space for negotiations that could address longstanding tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border.