Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel aimed at fostering peace between the two nations. He shared this news on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump stated that he engaged in “wonderful negotiations” with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Trump, the ceasefire is set to officially commence at 5 PM Eastern Time on April 17, which corresponds to 1 AM Kyiv time.
In his post, Trump tasked Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with General Dan Razin Kane, to collaborate with both Israel and Lebanon to work towards a lasting peace. He expressed pride in his past efforts, stating, “It has been an honor to end 9 wars around the world, and this will be my 10th, so let’s make it happen!”
Earlier, Trump indicated that leaders from both countries might engage in direct talks for the first time in 34 years.
Rising Tensions
The announcement comes amid escalating conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. In early March, Hezbollah militants launched rockets and drones into Israel, prompting the Israeli military to carry out extensive strikes in Lebanon and initiate a ground operation in the southern region of the country.
According to United Nations humanitarian agencies, over 1.2 million people in Lebanon have been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities, with approximately 820,000 fleeing from southern areas.
Satellite imagery and video analysis by BBC Verify reveal significant destruction in border towns, with more than 1,400 buildings reported destroyed since early March. International law experts suggest that the systematic demolition of these areas could constitute a war crime.
The Israeli military asserts that its operations comply with international law, claiming it targets sites only when military necessity dictates, arguing that Hezbollah’s infrastructure is often located within civilian areas.
Donald Trump has brokered a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, aiming to end hostilities amid rising tensions. The announcement follows recent escalations involving Hezbollah and significant humanitarian impacts in Lebanon.