In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday. The temporary truce is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. EST and aims to create space for direct negotiations between the longtime adversaries.
The announcement follows weeks of intensified fighting that erupted after Hezbollah’s involvement in the broader regional conflict tied to the US-Iran confrontation. Trump stated that the leaders of both countries will be invited to the White House for talks, describing the move as a step toward his tenth peace achievement.
Direct discussions between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors took place in Washington earlier this week—the first such high-level contact in over three decades—mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The ceasefire is intended to facilitate talks on key issues, including the disarmament of Hezbollah and long-term border security.
Analysts caution that the short duration reflects deep mistrust, with both sides reserving the right to resume operations if no progress is made. Markets responded positively, with reduced fears of wider escalation in the region.
The coming days will test whether this brief pause can evolve into a durable agreement and bring lasting calm to the Israel-Lebanon border.
