Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire as US pushes broader deal

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said, in a move that could ease some of the tension straining Washington’s temporary truce with Tehran.

Trump announced the ceasefire, which comes into effect at 5pm EST, following what he described as “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

“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,” he wrote on social media.

In a separate post, Trump said he would be inviting the leaders from the two countries to the White House for “the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983” and that “both sides want to see PEACE”.

“I believe that will happen, quickly!” he added.

The development may help defuse a key sticking point in Trump’s broader truce with Iran, with Tehran earlier insisting that the truce be extended to Lebanon. Washington had rejected that demand.