US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, framing the development as his “10th war” stopped globally as tensions linked to Iran spill across the region.
The proposed truce, set to begin at 5 pm Washington time (2.30 am Friday in India), is aimed at easing hostilities along Israel’s northern border, where fighting has intensified due to Hezbollah’s involvement amid the broader Iran conflict.
“I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST.”, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
He added, “It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!”.
Ceasefire comes amid Hezbollah-linked escalation
The understanding comes after Israel opened a fresh front targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group that holds sway over parts of southern Lebanon. While Lebanon is not formally at war with Israel, Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks have drawn repeated Israeli retaliation, with the civilian population bearing much of the impact.
Officials say the success of the ceasefire will hinge on whether Hezbollah holds fire. Though not formally part of the agreement, media reports suggest the group could pause its attacks if Israel reciprocates.
Diplomatic push and regional reactions
The development follows a rare diplomatic engagement between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington earlier this week, facilitated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It marked the first such interaction since the 1980s, when Israel carried out a major invasion of Lebanon.
Backing the ceasefire, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on social media: “For us, a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as important as a ceasefire in Iran.”
Trump also said he has directed “Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan ‘Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a lasting peace”.
He indicated plans to invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for discussions on a longer-term settlement.
Ground situation remains fragile
The ceasefire comes against the backdrop of heavy casualties and displacement. Lebanese authorities estimate that over 2,000 people have been killed and more than a million displaced in Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions, including in Beirut.
UN peacekeepers deployed along the Israel-Lebanon border have also faced fire from both sides during the escalation. Around 642 Indian personnel are currently part of the UN mission in southern Lebanon.
Welcoming the move, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the organisation stands ready to support efforts toward peace. His spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, “The United Nations, through its political and peacekeeping missions, remains ready to support these efforts.”
The UN has also urged both sides to move towards a permanent ceasefire and a durable resolution to the conflict.