Trump says Israel, Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (Apr 16) that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.

“I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel,” he said on Truth Social.

“These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a 10 day ceasefire at 5pm EST.”

The US president said the two countries met for the first time in 34 years in Washington DC on Tuesday.

“I have 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 said.

In another post on Truth Social, Trump also said he would be inviting Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for the “first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983”.

“Both sides want to see peace, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese officials said the country’s president will not speak to Israel’s prime minister in the near future, despite Trump saying earlier that leaders of the two countries will speak.

The US-Israeli war with Iran spilt into Lebanon on Mar 2, when Iran-backed Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon just 15 months after the last major conflict.