President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, effective Thursday at 5 p.m. ET, following negotiations with both nations' leaders. This marks the first direct talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in over three decades. Nearly 2,200 Lebanese civilians have been killed in Israeli air strikes during the six-week conflict.
White House Invitation Extended
Trump invited Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for further discussions, aiming to broker a historic peace agreement. The ceasefire comes after initial talks in Washington ended without a deal earlier this week. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group opposing Israel, has expressed resistance to the dialogue, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.
"We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon," Netanyahu stated in a video address.
U.S. Economic Pressure on Iran Continues
While mediating the ceasefire, the Trump administration intensified economic pressure on Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions targeting countries conducting business with Iran, describing the measures as the "financial equivalent" of a bombing campaign. The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect.
Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the broader Middle Eastern conflict, hosting initial U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad. While no decision has been made on resuming negotiations, further discussions are likely to take place in Pakistan's capital.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni praised the ceasefire as "excellent news," urging all parties to fully respect the agreement. Italy maintains the second-largest contingent of U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.