U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement for a 10-day ceasefire, scheduled to take effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared the temporary halt to hostilities, describing it as a step toward achieving lasting peace between the two nations. Trump stated that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to the ceasefire following recent diplomatic engagements, including what he characterised as the first direct high-level discussions between leaders of the two countries in 34 years.
The US President wrote, “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. On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.”
He added that he has “directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE.” Trump added, “It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!’”
In a follow-up post, Trump added that he will be inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon to the White House “for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago.” He added, “Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!”
The announcement comes amid regional tensions stemming from the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and separate Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump has positioned the Israel-Lebanon truce as an independent diplomatic effort aimed at providing “a little breathing room” and building momentum for longer-term negotiations, separate from the existing two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal brokered earlier this month.
Details of the ceasefire terms were not immediately released, but sources familiar with the talks indicated the pause is intended to allow for further discussions on security issues, including the disarmament of Hezbollah and border stability. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously authorised direct negotiations with Lebanon, while Lebanese officials have expressed caution about the process.
The development follows weeks of intensified fighting in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah positions, resulting in significant casualties and displacement. Iran, a key backer of Hezbollah, has repeatedly called for a comprehensive regional ceasefire that includes Lebanon, though Trump and Israeli officials have maintained that the Israel-Lebanon conflict falls outside the scope of the U.S.-Iran agreement.
White House officials described the 10-day ceasefire as a positive step but emphasised that it remains fragile. “We are watching closely,” one senior administration official said, noting U.S. readiness to support implementation while urging both sides to honour the agreement.
