The United States has brokered a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in a bid to halt hostilities involving the Israeli military and Hezbollah. President Donald Trump revealed the agreement, as violence continued in the hours surrounding the truce’s implementation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the arrangement, describing a potential for significant peace progress while affirming that Israeli troops would remain stationed in a fully secured buffer zone within southern Lebanon. The introduction of the ceasefire was accompanied by a spike in military activity, with at least 40 rockets reportedly launched from Lebanon and retaliatory airstrikes conducted by Israel following the deal’s announcement.
After the ceasefire commenced, Lebanon’s military reported incidents of intermittent Israeli shelling, alleging breaches of the agreement. Hezbollah indicated that it reserved the right to respond to any attacks during the truce period. President Trump stated that discussions between Israeli and Lebanese leaders could be held at the White House in the near future.
In a concurrent diplomatic initiative, President Trump expressed confidence in prospects for a peace agreement with Iran, suggesting that Tehran had signaled its willingness to make concessions it previously opposed.
According to Trump, these included a pledge to abandon nuclear weapons development, surrender nuclear material, resume free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and provide oil supplies. Iranian authorities have not verified any of these commitments. Meanwhile, the U.S. military has enforced pressure on Iran by intercepting 13 vessels near Iranian ports and warning of potential military response should negotiations fail. U.S. and Iranian officials are expected to resume talks as early as this weekend.
