Trump announces Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, will invite Aoun and Netanyahu to White House

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday, capping more than a month of cross-border fighting and a widening Israeli ground offensive in southern Lebanon.

"I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel. 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 [12:00 a.m. Beirut time]." 

He continued, "I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State 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. It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let's GET IT DONE! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Following his announcement, Trump posted again on Truth Social, saying that he will invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House "for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983." He added, "Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!"

Netanyahu refused to call a security cabinet vote on the truce, likely fearing repudiation by his far-right coalition partners, a well-informed source told Al-Monitor. The source added that cabinet members were livid, having been informed of the ceasefire only after Trump made the announcement.

The agreement

In a statement Thursday, Netanyahu said that he had agreed to a "timeout" in Lebanon and said Israel's goals include "the disarmament of Hezbollah," as well as a "sustainable peace agreement" with Lebanon. 

He said that Israeli troops would not withdraw from areas they occupy in southern Lebanon. "This is a security strip 10 kilometers deep, which is much stronger, more intense, more continuous and more solid than what we had previously. That is where we are and we are not leaving," he said. These positions, he said, allow Israel "to block the danger of an invasion into our communities." 

The State Department subsequently said in a statement that Israel will not carry out "any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets" during the truce but that it can take "all necessary measures in self-defense." It also commits the Lebanese government to taking "meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah ... from carrying out any attacks" against Israel.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the ceasefire announcement in a post on X on Thursday, saying that the truce "was our primary goal in the Washington meeting" and adding that he stands in solidarity with those killed and "the citizens who were forced to flee their cities and villages."

Also on Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held separate calls with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In their call, Trump emphasized "his commitment to meeting the Lebanese request for a ceasefire at the earliest possible time," according to Aoun's office. 

The United States convened talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington on Tuesday. 

It remains uncertain whether Hezbollah will comply with the ceasefire. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters after the announcement that everything is tied to Israel's commitment to halting its military campaign. However, later on Thursday, Trump told reporters that the ceasefire "will include Hezbollah."

Diplomatic movement

On Wednesday night, Trump wrote in a social media post that Aoun would speak with Netanyahu on Thursday, though this did not take place. 

On Thursday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who heads the Hezbollah-allied Shiite Amal party, reportedly dispatched parliament member Ali Hassan Khalil to Saudi Arabia to meet with Prince Yazid bin Farhan, the Saudi official responsible for the Lebanese file.

Earlier on Thursday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on Telegram Thursday that he spoke with Berri over the phone. Iran has said that the longevity of the US-Iran temporary ceasefire would be contingent on Israel ceasing its attacks in Lebanon. 

In a statement following the ceasefire announcement, Berri said, "We urge everyone to exercise patience and delay their return to their towns and villages until the situation and unfolding events become clear, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement."

The current conflict 

The current escalation began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched missiles into Israel in what it described as support for Iran amid the war. Israel responded with a ground attack in southern Lebanon that has since expanded, triggering widespread displacement. Evacuation orders now cover roughly 15% of the country. 

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in late March that Israel aims to establish a “security zone” reaching the Litani River, about 12 to 18 miles (19 to 24 kilometers) north of the border, suggesting a potential long-term military presence in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese government has so far failed to advance a plan to bring all weapons under state control in line with the 2024 ceasefire with Israel. Although the government endorsed an implementation plan in 2025, it has yet to set a timeline, and Hezbollah retains robust military capabilities. 

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Thursday that 2,196 people have been killed and 7,185 more wounded by Israeli strikes in recent weeks. The war has displaced more than one million people in Lebanon, roughly 20% of the population, according to the United Nations. 

This developing story has been updated since initial publication.