U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
In a statement posted on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the ceasefire would commence at 5 p.m. EST (2100 GMT).
The U.S. State Department said, the truce will take effect from Thursday (16 April) and added that it could be extended by mutual agreement.
The announcement followed what he described as “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
“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 wrote.
The development comes amid ongoing cross-border exchanges between Israel and armed groups in Lebanon. Notably, Trump’s statement made no reference to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant organisation central to much of the recent fighting.
Trump also revealed that senior figures in his administration had been tasked with helping to turn the temporary truce into something more durable. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine have been directed to work alongside both countries.
“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 a lasting peace,” Trump said.
According to the president, diplomatic engagement has already been under way. He noted that representatives from both countries had met earlier in the week in Washington – their first such meeting in more than three decades.
“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.”
In a separate post, Trump said he intends to bring both leaders to the White House for what he described as “meaningful talks”, signalling a broader attempt to position the U.S. as a mediator in the conflict.
While details remain sparse and no formal joint confirmation has yet emerged from either government, the announcement has nonetheless drawn attention for its timing and ambition.
Ursula von der Leyen welcomed a Trump-mediated 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, calling it an important step towards de-escalation. She also pledged continued EU humanitarian aid to support the Lebanese people.
Responding to the announcement, the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said any ceasefire must not allow Israel freedom of movement within Lebanon and that the presence of Israeli troops in Lebanese territory grants Lebanon and its people the "right to resist."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has agreed to a temporary 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon, marking a short pause in weeks of escalating cross-border hostilities.
He made clear, however, that Israel’s broader aims remain intact, insisting that its “key demand is that Hezbollah must be dismantled.”
Netanyahu also added that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon, maintaining what he described as an “extensive security zone” stretching up to the Syrian border.
European Council President António Costa welcomed the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as “excellent news,” urging that the agreement must now be fully implemented and verified on the ground.
"The EU will continue to support Lebanon," Costa said in a post on X.
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