President Trump announced Thursday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks. The announcement followed a White House meeting with the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, alongside Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Ambassadors Mike Huckabee and Michel Issa.
Behind the Ceasefire Extension
The U.S. has been actively pushing for the ceasefire extension as part of broader efforts to advance direct peace talks between Israel and Lebanon. Simultaneously, the Biden administration is working to secure a deal with Iran, though tensions persist over Israel's operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
'The Meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS,' Trump posted on Truth Social.
Challenges Ahead
Lebanese officials remain skeptical of a trilateral meeting with Israel, citing ongoing Israeli occupation of 6% of Lebanese territory and continued military strikes. The U.S. and Israel maintain that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire does not cover Israel's actions against Hezbollah, framing them as part of separate negotiations with Lebanon.
Trump expressed optimism about hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House 'in the near future,' though Lebanese officials have yet to confirm their participation.