A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is set to begin, even as broader regional tensions remain unresolved.
President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at 5 p.m. ET, following discussions in Washington earlier in the week. In a post on Truth Social, he 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 added that he recently spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and plans to host both leaders at the White House for what he described as the first significant direct talks between the two nations in decades. He expressed optimism about the outcome, stating: “Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!”
The ceasefire follows weeks of escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group operating in Lebanon. Israeli military operations in the country have led to heavy casualties—over 2,000 deaths—and displaced more than a million people.
Despite the agreement with Lebanon, the broader conflict involving Iran remains unresolved. Earlier this year, Trump authorized large-scale joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military and government sites. He also issued an ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route, or face further attacks. While a temporary pause in planned strikes was offered, negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough, largely due to disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program.
The U.S. has since imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports, disrupting shipping and driving up global energy prices. Defense officials have indicated readiness for further escalation if diplomacy continues to stall.
Casualties across the region have been significant. Iranian authorities report more than 3,300 deaths since the strikes began in late February. In addition to the losses in Lebanon, dozens have been killed in nearby Gulf states and Israel, along with U.S. service members.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with Pakistani officials engaging regional leaders in an attempt to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran. However, no new round of talks has been scheduled, and uncertainty remains about whether a broader agreement can be reached.
For now, the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire offers a brief window of calm, though its durability—and its impact on the wider conflict—remains unclear.
For live updates, visit: CNN, The Associated Press.
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