Trump says Lebanon and Israel have reached 10-day ceasefire
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would be inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for the "first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983".
Israeli army vehicles and bulldozers operate in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026. (Photo: AP/Ariel Schalit)
BEIRUT: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (Apr 16) that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5pm EST (Friday, 5am, Singapore time), signalling a pause in Israel's conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah that has raged in parallel to the war with Iran.
Trump's statement, posted on Truth Social, did not specify which day the ceasefire would begin but a US official said it would start on Thursday.
Pakistan had earlier said that peace in Lebanon was essential for talks it is mediating to end the war between the United States and Iran.
Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters the group had been informed by Iran's ambassador to Lebanon that a one-week ceasefire could begin on Thursday evening.
Asked if Hezbollah would commit to the truce, Fadlallah said everything was tied to Israel's commitment to halt all forms of hostilities, and credited Iran's diplomatic efforts for the possible ceasefire.
Trump said he had held excellent conversations with both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
An Israeli cabinet source said Netanyahu's security cabinet had convened for an urgent discussion on the Lebanon ceasefire.
The US-Israeli war with Iran spilt into Lebanon on Mar 2, when Iran-backed Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon just 15 months after the last major conflict.
Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,100 people in Lebanon since Mar 2 and forced more than 1.2 million to flee, Lebanese authorities say. Hezbollah attacks have killed two Israeli civilians, while 13 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since Mar 2, Israel says.
An Israeli security official said the Israeli military had no plans to withdraw forces from southern Lebanon during any ceasefire.
Trump, in another social media post, said he will be inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for "meaningful talks" between the two countries, which have remained in an official state of war since Israel was established in 1948.
