Israel and Lebanon agree 10-day ceasefire, Trump says

Lead

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a move aimed at halting six weeks of fighting between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The truce took effect at midnight local time (21:00 GMT) on April 16, 2026, according to multiple reports.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said he had "excellent conversations" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and that the two leaders agreed to "formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST." He also announced plans to invite both leaders to the White House for what he called "the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983."

Coverage Comparison

The ceasefire announcement was covered by outlets worldwide, with most focusing on Trump's role and the agreement's terms. ABC Australia and The Guardian highlighted the human cost of the conflict, noting that Israeli strikes have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced over a million in Lebanon. Al Jazeera reported on Hezbollah's response, with senior politician Hassan Fadlallah telling Reuters that the group was informed of a possible one-week ceasefire and tied its commitment to Israel's actions. Fox News provided analysis from defense experts on Hezbollah's tactics, while the Jerusalem Post offered detailed accounts of the Israeli government's internal deliberations, including reports that Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting with only five minutes' notice and without a vote on the ceasefire.

Key Claims

• Ceasefire terms: The US State Department released a statement, agreed to by both Israel and Lebanon, specifying that Israel retains the "right to take all necessary measures in self-defence, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks" while committing not to carry out offensive operations. Lebanon must take "meaningful steps" to prevent Hezbollah and other "rogue non-state armed groups" from attacking Israel, and both countries recognize that Lebanon's security forces have exclusive responsibility for Lebanon's security.

• Hezbollah's position: Hezbollah was not a party to the negotiations. The group stated that any ceasefire must be "comprehensive across all Lebanese territory" and include "no freedom of movement for Israeli forces." Trump urged Hezbollah to "act nicely and well" during the truce, saying it would be a "GREAT moment for them if they do."

• Israeli commitments: Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed Israel's participation but insisted that troops would maintain a 10-kilometer-deep "security zone" in southern Lebanon, saying, "We are there, and we are not leaving." He later claimed that 90% of Hezbollah's missile and rocket stockpiles had been destroyed and called the ceasefire "an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon." Netanyahu also said the agreement was accepted at Trump's request, according to statements cited by the Jerusalem Post.

• Ceasefire violations: The Lebanese army reported several ceasefire violations by Israeli forces on Friday morning. Fox News reported an ambush in southern Lebanon that killed a French soldier, and an Israeli reservist was killed when an engineering vehicle hit a bomb planted by Hezbollah. These incidents highlight the fragility of the truce.

• International reaction: Iran's Foreign Ministry welcomed the ceasefire, calling it part of the earlier two-week ceasefire understanding between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Pakistan. Iran's ambassador to France, Mohammad Amin Nejad, expressed support for the agreement but hoped for an end to violations. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the ceasefire "may not hold without a broader political agreement." South Korea's foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il "fully welcomed" the ceasefire and praised Trump's efforts.

Perspectives

The ceasefire is viewed differently across the region. For the Lebanese government, it represents a long-sought goal. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described it as "a central Lebanese demand we have pursued since the very first day of the war," while Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said it allowed "the separation of the topic of Lebanon from the Iranian dossier once and for all."

In Israel, skepticism abounds. Residents of northern communities expressed frustration, with one Nahariya resident telling Reuters, "I feel like the government lied to us." Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the ceasefire as a political disaster, according to the Jerusalem Post. Some Israeli officials were reportedly displeased with Israel's exclusion from the initial US-Iran ceasefire discussions, which may have influenced the dynamics of the Lebanon deal.

Hezbollah, while not signing the agreement, indicated willingness to observe it if Israel halts all attacks. Iran, a key backer of Hezbollah, framed the truce as part of a broader diplomatic effort with the US, though questions remain about the linkage between the Lebanon ceasefire and ongoing US-Iran negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.

The coming days will test whether this 10-day pause can hold and whether it can pave the way for more permanent agreements. With reported violations, unresolved issues like Hezbollah's disarmament, and deep mutual mistrust, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.