BEIRUT, (PIC)
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday evening that a 10-day ceasefire has been reached in Lebanon, set to take effect at midnight. Hezbollah, however, has tied its commitment to the truce to Israel’s adherence to halting all military operations.
Trump said in remarks that he had an “excellent conversation” with both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that both sides “agreed to pursue peace between the two countries.”
He noted that he had tasked Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio with working alongside both parties to “ensure the sustainability of peace.”
Casualties in intensive strikes on southern Lebanon
In a related development, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan 11 reported that the ceasefire would focus on halting aerial attacks, while Israeli ground forces would remain inside Lebanese territory.
According to Israeli reports, Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting that “Trump requested a ceasefire, and I accepted his request,” indicating Israel’s approval of the truce.
Meanwhile, Reuters quoted an Israeli source as saying that the Israeli military does not plan to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon during the ceasefire period.
Trump later announced his intention to invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for what he described as the “first serious talks” between Israel and Lebanon.
For its part, a Hezbollah official said that the group’s commitment to the ceasefire is “conditional on Israel’s commitment to halting all forms of hostilities,” underscoring the fragility of the agreement.
Earlier, the Lebanese presidency announced a phone call between Trump and Aoun, during which the Lebanese president expressed appreciation for US efforts to secure a ceasefire and stability, as a step toward launching a broader peace process in the region.
The presidency added that Aoun called for continued efforts to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, while Trump reaffirmed his support for Lebanon and his commitment to responding to the Lebanese request for a ceasefire.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has risen to 2,196, with 7,185 injured.
The ministry also reported that a girl was killed and others wounded in an Israeli airstrike targeting the town of Saadiyat in the Chouf district of Mount Lebanon.
In the same context, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, citing official sources, that the Israeli army had been instructed to prepare for a ceasefire to begin sometime between 7:00 pm and midnight.
Trump also announced that a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel would take effect on Tuesday at 5:00 pm Eastern Time.
He reiterated that he had held an “excellent” call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that both sides expressed willingness to move toward peace.
He added that the agreement is part of US efforts to de-escalate tensions and halt military operations on the Lebanese front, amid intensified diplomatic activity led by Washington in recent days.
