Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, effective April 16, 5PM EST (3.30 AM IST April 17).
The ceasefire which officially came into effect at 3.30 AM IST Friday, corresponds with midnight local time in both Israel and Lebanon.
‘May have been a historic day for Lebanon. Good things are happening,’ US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform.
Trump again claimed that he had solved nine wars across the world, and this will be the tenth. ‘So let’s get it done,’ he said.
The 10-day temporary truce is intended to create ‘breathing space’ for negotiations towards a permanent peace agreement.
The deal was brokered by President Trump after his discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
As per the ceasefire agreement, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to halt offensive military operations.
Lebanon committed to taking meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks.
Israeli forces will remain in a 10-kilometre “security zone” in southern Lebanon during this period.
Even as the truce is officially in effect, the Lebanese Army reported several “acts of aggression” and shelling by Israel in southern villages early on April 17. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they struck more than 380 targets of Hezbollah in Lebanon over the past 24 hours.
Hezbollah said they will “cautiously adhere” to the ceasefire as long as Israeli attacks cease.
The ceasefire is part of a broader regional diplomatic push that also includes a separate, ongoing two-week truce between the US and Iran.
Trump hoped that Hezbollah acts ‘nicely and well’ during this important period of time.
‘It will be a great moment for them if they do. No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!,’ he said.
He said he had ‘excellent conversations’ with President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel.
‘These two Leaders agreed that in order to achieve peace between their countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day ceasefire at 5 P.M. EST.’
He said that on Tuesday, the two countries met for the first time in 34 years in Washington with Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
He said he had directed Vice President JD Vance and Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE.
Trump said he will be inviting the Israeli Prime Minister and the President of Lebanon to the White House for the first ‘meaningful talks since 1983, a very long time ago.’
‘Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly,’ Trump said.
