Israel and Lebanon Reach Agreement on 10-Day Ceasefire After U.S.-Facilitated Talks

M. S. President Donald Trump announced. The ceasefire follows direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese military chiefs in Washington, the first such contact in 34 years. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, who facilitated discussions between Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador Nada Moawad.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also participated in talks with Trump in Washington. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the truce, which Lebanon and Israel agreed would begin within hours. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that the negotiations would mark the beginning of the end of suffering for the Lebanese people and thanked Trump for his efforts during a phone call on Thursday.

U.S. request for a direct call with Netanyahu. Israeli officials expressed outrage that Trump announced the ceasefire before Israel’s Security Cabinet had voted on the matter. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon during the period.

The ceasefire comes amid ongoing exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel since October 7. Hezbollah stated that the Israeli invasion gives Lebanon the right to resist, while Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah warned that Lebanon could become increasingly divided over the government’s decision to agree to the truce.

In related developments, Israeli forces destroyed the last operational bridge over Lebanon’s Litani River.

U.S. and Iran are engaged in indirect talks to extend a separate two-week ceasefire. President Trump posted on Truth Social that he had excellent conversations with both Aoun and Netanyahu, stating that the ceasefire was part of his effort to achieve peace and would mark his tenth success in ending wars.

“The two leaders agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 P.M. EST to achieve peace." — U.S. President Donald Trump > "I hope these negotiations mark the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese people." — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun > "This is the beginning of a battle against Hezbollah.”