Trump hails 10 day Israel Lebanon ceasefire, urges Hezbollah to act nicely, says truce follows talks with Netanyahu and Aoun and could lead to broader Middle East peace talks
US President Donald Trump on Friday urged Hezbollah to “act nicely” and support ongoing peace efforts, as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect amid continued tensions in the region.
“I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time. It will be an GREAT moment for them if they do. No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!” Trump said, framing the truce as a key opportunity to move towards a broader resolution of the conflict.
Ceasefire Begins Amid Diplomatic Push
The ceasefire, which began at midnight local time in Israel and Lebanon, follows weeks of intense hostilities that have resulted in significant casualties and displacement. The truce is part of a broader diplomatic push led by Washington to de-escalate tensions not just between Israel and Lebanon, but also in the wider Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Trump said the agreement came after what he described as “excellent” conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. He indicated that both leaders had agreed to pause hostilities as a step towards a possible long-term peace arrangement.
He also signalled that efforts were underway to bring the two leaders together for direct talks, potentially at the White House, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough after decades of hostility between the two nations.
‘Very Exciting’ Moment, Says Trump
Calling the development “very exciting,” Trump said the ceasefire could pave the way for the first high-level engagement between Israel and Lebanon in decades. He added that Hezbollah was also part of the ceasefire understanding, suggesting that all parties had agreed to temporarily halt attacks.
According to Trump, the current pause in fighting is intended to last for about a week initially, during which there would be no aerial bombardment or military strikes. The aim, he said, is to assess whether conditions are conducive for a more durable peace agreement.
“They’re going to be having a ceasefire, and that will include Hezbollah,” Trump said, adding that “we’re not going to have bombs dropping” during this period.
Fragile Situation On Ground
Despite the ceasefire, the situation on the ground remains fragile. Reports of gunfire in parts of Beirut, particularly in Hezbollah strongholds, surfaced as the truce came into effect, though it was not immediately clear whether this was celebratory or indicative of violations.
The conflict, which began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, quickly expanded when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in early March. Since then, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon have led to over 2,000 deaths and displaced more than a million people.
Israel’s military said it had carried out strikes on hundreds of Hezbollah targets shortly before the ceasefire began and remains on high alert in case hostilities resume.
Wider Stakes In Region
The ceasefire is also closely linked to ongoing US efforts to negotiate a broader settlement with Iran, which has insisted that any deal must include de-escalation in Lebanon. While Washington and Israel have denied that the Lebanon truce is formally tied to Iran talks, the timing underscores the interconnected nature of the regional conflict.