Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Israel and Lebanon
President Donald Trump has declared a 10-day ceasefire involving Israel and Lebanon, set to commence at 5:00 p.m. EST (midnight local time).
This announcement was made in a morning post on Truth Social, where Trump stated that the agreement was reached between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“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 stated.
This development follows significant peace discussions held earlier this week in Washington D.C., where representatives from both nations addressed their ongoing conflict. Since early March, Israel has been targeting locations in Lebanon with strikes aimed at diminishing Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, known for its history of attacks, including rocket fire and cross-border raids.
These strikes followed a joint U.S.-Israeli operation that began on February 28, referred to in the United States as “Operation Epic Fury” and in Israel as “Operation Roaring Lion,” focusing on sites in Iran. U.S. officials indicated that the objective was to weaken Iran’s military infrastructure, particularly its nuclear capabilities.
Trump also pointed to the significance of the recent meeting between the two countries.
“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,” the president remarked.
“I have 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 Lasting PEACE,” he added.
The president mentioned plans to invite both Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for what he described as “the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago.”
“Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” Trump expressed.
He emphasized the ceasefire as another achievement in his broader goal for global peace.
“It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s GET IT DONE!”
While Lebanon’s government appears to have agreed to the ceasefire, it remains unclear if Hezbollah will comply.
Meanwhile, U.S.-Iran peace discussions seem to have hit a standstill after no agreements were reached on critical issues during recent talks in Pakistan, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Navy has instituted a blockade affecting vessels moving to or from Iranian ports as of Monday.
In a Wednesday interview with a business news anchor, Trump described the situation in Iran as “very close to over.”
Pakistani mediators are still advocating for diplomatic solutions, and U.S. officials have shown openness, although Vance noted that the “ball is very much in their court,” underscoring the firmness of the U.S. negotiation stance.
