Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. The truce took effect at midnight.
The Deal
Trump announced the ceasefire on Truth Social. Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have been invited to the White House within two weeks, he said.
It is the first formal halt in fighting between Israel and Lebanon since the broader regional war escalated in early March.
Israel’s Position
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the ceasefire “temporary.” The Israel Defense Forces are not withdrawing from territory in southern Lebanon and will complete remaining missions if necessary, he said.
“IDF holds and will continue to hold all areas it has cleared and taken over,” Katz said in a statement carried by Israeli media.
Netanyahu posted a video address on YouTube before Trump’s announcement. Israel agreed to the temporary halt at Trump’s request, he said. Netanyahu described it as holding a weapon in one hand while extending the other in peace.
Israel has not finished with Hezbollah, he added.
Trump Bans Israeli Strikes on Lebanon
In one of 10 posts on Truth Social within an hour, Trump wrote that “Israel will no longer be bombing Lebanon.” He added: “The USA has FORBIDDEN them from doing so. Enough!!!”
The statement marks an unusual public constraint on Israeli military operations by a US president.
Lebanon’s Reaction
The Lebanese Armed Forces reported that the IDF had already violated the ceasefire multiple times since it took effect. The allegations could not be independently verified.
Lebanese civilians celebrated in the streets overnight. Roads leading to southern Lebanon were clogged with people returning home. In some areas, celebratory gunfire was heard.
Houthi and Palestinian Reaction
Yemen’s Houthi movement and Palestinian factions called the ceasefire a victory for Hezbollah and the “axis of resistance.” The Houthi political bureau congratulated Hezbollah fighters and the Lebanese people on what it called a “historic victory,” according to Iranian state television Press TV.
Broader Context
The Lebanon ceasefire is linked to the wider Iran war. Trump has been pushing for a deal covering Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and now Lebanon. The Iran-US ceasefire expires April 22.
