Trump announces truce between Israel and Lebanon

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following their first direct diplomatic talks in decades, held in Washington. President Donald Trump announced the truce, set to begin at 5 pm Eastern Time, after discussions with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Cairo: Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, President Donald Trump announced Thursday, two days after the countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington.

The truce that Trump said was scheduled to begin at 5 pm Eastern follows more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.

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Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

The president also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for the countries’ first high-level talks since 1983.

Trump announced the pause in fighting on social media, saying it followed “excellent” conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump said he has directed Vice President JD Vance others to work with Israel and Lebanon to “achieve a Lasting PEACE”.