By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
United States President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day temporary ceasefire. The truce is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET (9 p.m. GMT) following direct meetings between officials from both nations in Washington. This move marks a significant shift in the regional conflict that escalated into a broader war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran on Feb. 28. The agreement emerged from direct negotiations that began Tuesday with a historic in-person meeting in Washington between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the U.S.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump confirmed he had just completed “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. He noted that the two leaders struck the agreement “in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries.” The announcement follows a period of intense military activity; Israeli strikes targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah have killed over 2,000 people in Lebanon, a figure that remains a central point of contention in ongoing negotiations. In Israel, 21 people have been killed since the outbreak of the Iran war, including casualties from strikes by both Iran and Hezbollah.
Historic White House Summit Invitation
Following the ceasefire announcement, President Trump signaled his intent to transition the temporary pause into a formal diplomatic resolution. He confirmed he will be inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House to facilitate the first high-level direct negotiations between the two neighbors in decades.
“I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago,” Trump wrote. He expressed high confidence in the outcome of these upcoming discussions. “Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” he added.
While Trump reported excellent talks with both, Lebanese officials noted that Aoun had earlier declined to speak directly with Netanyahu, highlighting the fragile nature of this diplomatic breakthrough. Additionally , there was no immediate official confirmation of the deal from the capitals of Israel or Lebanon following the President’s post.
Diplomatic Team and Lasting Objectives
The White House has deployed a high-level team to manage the implementation of the truce and the subsequent peace process. Trump stated that he has “directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio” along with Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan “Razin’” Caine to work with the countries toward achieving “a Lasting PEACE.”
The administration is projecting a sense of momentum despite the collapse of separate U.S.-Iran peace negotiations over the weekend. Trump remarked earlier this week that the war is “very close to over.” This optimism follows a push from the President to temper the violence; Trump revealed in an interview that he asked Netanyahu to “low-key it” regarding strikes in Lebanon to protect the peace process. “I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,” Trump said.
Military Readiness and Economic Levers
While the ceasefire offers a diplomatic opening, the Pentagon remains in a state of high alert. Israeli forces had continued widespread strikes and a ground invasion in southern Lebanon even after a temporary ceasefire in the Iran war took effect last week, as the U.S. and Israel maintained that the previous agreement did not cover Lebanese territory.
Analysts suggest that the economic “stranglehold” created by the blockade is a primary driver behind the current willingness to negotiate. Iran has increasingly insisted that the cessation of strikes on Lebanon is a prerequisite for any long-term regional stability. “A ceasefire in Lebanon ‘is as important as a ceasefire in Iran,’” said Tehran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, adding that Iran is seeking to “compel the adversaries to establish a permanent ceasefire in all areas of conflict.”
Domestic Friction and Internal Lebanese Dynamics
The fast-moving developments in the Middle East have sparked sharp political divisions in Washington. On Thursday, House Democrats failed in their latest attempt to pass a resolution that would limit President Trump’s authority to continue military action against Iran in a narrow 213-214 vote.
Parallel to the domestic debate is the question of enforcement on the ground. Hezbollah, a dominant military and political force in Lebanon, has notably been absent from the direct Washington talks. A senior Hezbollah official stated that “discussions over the agreement are ongoing, with progress tied to the Israeli position,” suggesting that the group’s compliance is not yet guaranteed. This remains a critical variable, as more than a million people have already been displaced in Lebanon since the U.S. and Israel launched their campaign.
Regional Perspectives and Hardline Stances
The path to a permanent agreement remains obstructed by significant demands. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed confidence that the U.S. would not extend the broader ceasefire with Iran beyond next week’s deadline. “He wants to reach a deal. I’m confident we’re not going to extend the ceasefire,” Graham said. Graham insisted that the “900 pounds of highly enriched uranium at 60% that resides in Iran needs to be turned over.”
Meanwhile, in Tehran, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met with Iranian Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi to discuss ending the war. Abdollahi attributed the conflict to a “miscalculation” by U.S. and Israeli forces regarding Iranian defensive capabilities and stated that Iran’s armed forces are “fully prepared for all-out defense” should the truce fail.
As the 5 p.m. ET (9 p.m. GMT) deadline approaches, the global diplomatic corps and regional observers remain watchful. The success of this 10-day window depends on the ability of the Trump administration to bridge the gap between Israel’s security requirements and Lebanon’s sovereignty, while ensuring that non-state actors like Hezbollah and regional powers like Iran do not disrupt the fragile silence of the guns.
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