A major diplomatic breakthrough emerged Thursday as U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a move that could significantly advance regional peace efforts and ongoing negotiations involving Iran.
According to Trump, the temporary halt in fighting is set to begin at 5 p.m., following direct conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
“Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” Trump wrote in a social media post, signaling optimism that the ceasefire could evolve into a more lasting agreement.
The president also revealed plans to invite both leaders to the White House, potentially marking the first face-to-face meeting between Israeli and Lebanese heads of state in decades.
Trump said he directed Vice President J.D. Vance and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine to work closely with both nations to secure a “lasting PEACE.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the ceasefire, calling it a long-sought goal following recent U.S.-brokered talks in Washington.
“I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement,” Salam said, while also expressing solidarity with victims of the conflict and hope for displaced citizens to return home.
However, the Iran-backed group Hezbollah signaled resistance, asserting what it described as a “right to resist” if Israeli forces remain inside Lebanese territory.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu described the ceasefire as “an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” while emphasizing that Israel will maintain a 10-kilometer security buffer zone in southern Lebanon during the pause to deter further threats.
The ceasefire follows historic discussions earlier this week in Washington, where Israeli and Lebanese diplomats agreed to continue negotiations despite failing to reach an immediate agreement at the time.
Now, with a temporary pause in place, momentum appears to be building toward a broader diplomatic resolution—one that could reshape not only Israel–Lebanon relations but also the wider geopolitical landscape involving Iran.
As the region watches closely, the next 10 days may prove pivotal in determining whether this ceasefire becomes a stepping stone toward lasting peace—or merely a brief pause in a long-running conflict.
