Israel and Lebanon have reached a ceasefire, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Thursday, after Israel’s continued bombing of its neighbor emerged as a major sticking point in U.S. talks with Iran over the broader conflict.
“I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel,” Trump wrote.” 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’s announcement raises significant unanswered questions over the details of the agreement. Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon is part of its long-running conflict with the Hezbollah militant group and not the country’s military forces. The Lebanese government has little control over the group, so a ceasefire with the country’s official representation does not necessarily mean an end to the war.
Netanyahu said that Israel has two “fundamental” demands: the disarmament of Hezbollah and a sustainable peace agreement.
Hezbollah, in turn, demanded Israel withdraw from Lebanon and for an end to military action. Netanyahu said he rejected Hezbollah’s demands.
“We are remaining in Lebanon in a reinforced security buffer zone,” Netanyahu said.
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The Israeli prime minister also said that he has spoken with Trump, and the president is “tremendously determined” to maintain the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and to dismantle what remains of Iran’s nuclear capability. “He is not giving up on this,” Netanyahu said.
Trump said earlier that he is dispatching Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to work with the two countries on negotiations.
Trump told reporters that Israel and Lebanon” are going to take care of Hezbollah” and leaders from both countries will “probably” be coming to the White House in the coming days.
The president said in a social media post that he was inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for a summit.
Netanyahu, who has been strongly criticized by allies in Europe for continuing to strike Lebanon even after the U.S. and Iran reached their temporary ceasefire in early April, committed to peace talks with Beirut last week.
But a halt in fighting, even if temporary, could be a crucial step forward. Iran, whose leadership insisted Lebanon had been included in the ceasefire deal it negotiated with the U.S., continued to strike at targets across the Middle East as Israel attacked Beirut.
“If the U S. wishes to crater its economy by letting Netanyahu kill diplomacy, that would ultimately be its choice,” Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on X last week. “We think that would be dumb but are prepared for it.”
POLITICO
