On Thursday, President Donald Trump revealed a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, describing it as a preliminary move towards lasting peace between the two countries. He also extended invitations to the Israeli Prime Minister and the Lebanese President for further discussions at the White House.
The President shared the news through his Truth Social platform, citing recent high-level talks in Washington as a precursor. The ceasefire is set to commence today at 5 p.m. EST.
According to Trump, the ceasefire was achieved following personal conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Notably, representatives from both nations met in Washington on Tuesday, marking their first diplomatic dialogue in 34 years.
Trump expressed his optimism, saying, “I just had excellent discussions with the esteemed President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel. These leaders have agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST as a step towards peace.”
The administration has appointed a senior delegation to facilitate the transition from the temporary truce to a more enduring agreement. This team comprises Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Gen. Dan ‘Razin’ Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Trump concluded with confidence, stating, “I am proud to have resolved nine wars globally, and this will be my tenth. Let’s make it happen!”
This ceasefire comes amid heightened regional tension and follows months of diplomatic maneuvering by the White House.
While the 10–day window is brief, the pause is intended to provide the necessary space for formal negotiations regarding long–term stability.
President Donald Trump announced a 10–day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday, describing the truce as an initial step toward a permanent end to hostilities between the two nations
Despite negotiations, airstrikes have continued in the region. Pictured above is the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Wednesday
It wasn’t clear whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would attend the talks
The military campaign between Lebanon and Israel has become a major sticking point in Trump’s quest to bring an end to the war in Iran.
The Israeli-US strikes against Iran on March 2 intensified already frayed relationships in the region.
Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, has been participating in the armed conflict by launching missile attacks against Israel.
Israel’s retaliation in Lebanon has resulted in a catastrophic death toll, with estimates exceeding 2,000 Lebanese casualties. More than one million people have also been forced to flee their homes.
Earlier this month, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the nation was planning to set up a security zone on Lebanese territory, which would prevent thousands from returning to their homes.
In an effort to broker peace, several Lebanese and Israeli officials met at the US Department of State headquarters in Washington DC on Tuesday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the meeting, which included Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.
‘We discovered today that we’re on the same side of the equation, and that’s the most positive thing we could have come away with,’ Leiter said after the meeting.
Rubio, pictured above in between Needham and Issa, called the talks ‘historic’ and ‘productive’
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, pictured above, declared that both nations were ‘united in liberating Lebanon’ from Hezbollah after the meeting
He added that the discussion focused on a ‘clearly delineated border’ between Israel and Lebanon.
‘The security of our civilians is not up for negotiation. This was a victory for sanity, for responsibility and for peace,’ Leiter said.
Leiter also declared that both nations were ‘united in liberating Lebanon’ from Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad called the meeting ‘productive’ while Rubio noted that the talks are a ‘process.’
Rubio added: ‘It’s a historic gathering that we hope to build on.’
Instability between Lebanon and Israel has contributed to the enduring conflict in the region.
Lebanon and Israel have engaged in peace negotiations in 1983 and 1993. However, following the Hamas-led attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, the conflict drastically escalated.
A fragile cease-fire was implemented at the end of 2024, but was never fully enforced.
