The United States President, Donald Trump, announced that a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has taken effect, following separate discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
“I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day ceasefire at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The development comes after weeks of escalating violence along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters have engaged in sustained clashes, with Israel advancing into southern Lebanon to create what it described as a “security zone.”
A statement from the U.S. Department of State confirmed that both sides agreed to halt hostilities starting April 16.
However, Israel will still be permitted to carry out defensive actions in response to immediate threats during the truce period.
Lebanon, on its part, is expected to “take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all other rogue non-state armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any attacks, operations, or hostile activities against Israeli targets.”
As part of the agreement, the United States will oversee direct negotiations between the two countries aimed at defining their land border, a move seen as a step toward a broader peace accord.
Reports from Israeli media suggest the ceasefire announcement caught officials off guard.
Netanyahu reportedly summoned a security cabinet meeting on short notice just minutes before the announcement, informing members that Trump had requested the truce and that he had agreed.
The cabinet did not conduct a vote on the matter.
In a subsequent statement, Netanyahu described the ceasefire as “an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon.”
“We have changed the balance of security,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel would maintain a 10-kilometer security buffer inside southern Lebanon throughout the ceasefire to counter threats from Hezbollah.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the development, describing it as a key objective achieved during recent talks in Washington.
“I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement,” Salam wrote, while also acknowledging the role of international and regional partners in securing the truce.
Trump also indicated plans to host both leaders at the White House for renewed peace negotiations.
“I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago,” Trump said. “Both sides want to see peace, and I believe that will happen, quickly!”
The ceasefire is also seen as potentially influencing ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran.
According to sources cited by Axios, the agreement could support Washington’s push for a broader deal with Tehran.
Despite the U.S. and Israel maintaining that the Lebanon ceasefire is separate from any arrangement with Iran, Tehran has suggested otherwise.
Iranian state media reported that its foreign ministry welcomed the truce, linking it to wider understandings between Iran and the United States.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire shortly after it came into force, alleging intermittent shelling in parts of southern Lebanon.
Residents returning to affected areas have been urged to remain cautious and avoid dangerous zones.
The Israel Defense Forces has yet to respond to the allegations.
