President Donald Trump announced today that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire following productive discussions with both nations’ leaders.
In his post, Trump stated: “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 also noted: “On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.”
He added that he had directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, along with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE. Trump remarked: “It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s GET IT DONE.”
The announcement followed reports that Trump spoke directly with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, marking the first known direct phone call between the two leaders.
Reports indicate President Aoun had previously refused to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A Lebanese government official, speaking anonymously under regulations, stated Washington “understands Lebanon’s position.” Aoun’s office confirmed a call with Rubio but did not mention any conversation with Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s office made no comment on such contact.
Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades Tuesday in Washington after more than a month of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
In a subsequent post, Trump said he would invite the leaders to the White House: “In addition to the statement just issued, 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. Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!”
Israel and Lebanon have remained in a formal state of war since Israel’s founding in 1948, with Lebanon still sharply divided over whether to engage diplomatically with Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have advanced further into southern Lebanon to establish what officials describe as a “security zone.” Netanyahu has stated that the buffer would extend roughly 5 to 6 miles into Lebanese territory.
