Washington, April 16, 2026 — United States President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a temporary 10-day ceasefire following days of escalating violence.

According to Trump, the truce will take effect at 5pm EST on Thursday after discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

“This is a step toward peace,” Trump said, adding that both sides are expected to move toward further dialogue during the ceasefire period.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the announcement, calling it a key demand since the beginning of the conflict and expressing hope that displaced civilians would soon return home.

The conflict intensified after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel earlier this year, triggering a large-scale Israeli military response. The fighting has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and forced more than one million people to flee their homes.

Recent Israeli airstrikes have heavily impacted areas including Beirut and southern regions such as Tyre, with continued casualties reported in the days leading up to the ceasefire.

Trump also indicated plans to invite both Israeli and Lebanese leaders for direct talks, while senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been tasked with working toward a longer-term settlement.

Despite the announcement, uncertainty remains as Hezbollah has not agreed to the ceasefire and has rejected ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The development comes amid broader regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, with international efforts continuing to prevent further escalation.