World

Trump says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire

By dpa The Tribune Content Agency
An airstrike is seen on April 16, 2026, in Nabatieh, Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon's ambassadors have held historic talks in Washington, the first direct diplomatic meeting between the two sides in decades. During the two-week ceasefire period between the U.S. and Iran, Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, have continued fighting. (Adri Salido/Getty Images/TNS)
An airstrike is seen on April 16, 2026, in Nabatieh, Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon's ambassadors have held historic talks in Washington, the first direct diplomatic meeting between the two sides in decades. During the two-week ceasefire period between the U.S. and Iran, Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, have continued fighting. (Adri Salido/Getty Images/TNS) Adri Salido TNS

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday at 2100 GMT.

He said the agreement came after he "just had excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"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," the U.S. president posted on his Truth Social platform.

He said he has directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE."

It comes after the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon met with Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, in what marked the first direct talks between the countries in decades.

Fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia escalated again in the wake of the Iran war. The Lebanese government is not an active party to the war and is seeking de-escalation. Hezbollah has so far rejected talks between the government and Israel.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM.

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