What we Know About the Ceasefire Between Lebanon and Israel

Donald Trump, the US president, declared that Israel and Lebanon’s leaders have reached a 10-day truce agreement, effective at 17:00 EST on 16 April. The deal, however, omitted Hezbollah—the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon—despite ongoing exchanges of fire between the two sides for six weeks. In a later post on Truth Social, Trump encouraged Hezbollah to “act nicely and well during this important period of time.”

Following the announcement, the US president invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House for additional discussions. The terms of the truce specify a 10-day pause, with potential for extension through mutual agreement if progress emerges. The US State Department emphasized the truce as a “gesture of goodwill” by Israel, designed to support “good-faith negotiations” toward a permanent security and peace pact.

Lebanon and Hezbollah’s Stance

Both Israeli and Lebanese leaders expressed support for the truce, with Netanyahu framing it as an “opportunity to make a historic peace agreement.” Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam hoped the deal would allow displaced individuals to return home. Hezbollah, while signaling participation, required the ceasefire to include a “comprehensive halt to attacks” across Lebanon and “no freedom of movement for Israeli forces.”

“I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time.”

Iran’s foreign ministry praised the ceasefire, with spokesperson Esmail Baghaei offering “solidarity” with Lebanon. Tehran had previously insisted its two-week truce with the US should involve Lebanon, a claim the US and Israel disputed. The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, recognized the US’s role in brokering the deal and called for adherence to international law. Meanwhile, the European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, described the agreement as “relief,” vowing continued advocacy for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added that the ceasefire should create space for “more lasting peace” by stepping back from violence. Despite this, Netanyahu asserted that Israeli troops would retain a 10km-deep “security zone” in southern Lebanon, stating: “We are there, and we are not leaving.” He argued the buffer zone is essential to “block the danger of invasion,” a position reinforced by Hezbollah’s insistence on “quiet for quiet” as a key condition.

Netanyahu’s decision reportedly caught even his own security cabinet off guard, with leaks suggesting ministers were not consulted beforehand. A respected Israeli news outlet noted the prime minister convened an emergency meeting with just five minutes’ notice before announcing the truce. The surprise highlights uncertainty about the deal’s implementation, as Lebanon’s involvement in the talks remained unclear. Pakistani officials, who aided negotiations, and Iranian representatives claimed Lebanon was part of the agreement, but Israel stated otherwise.