Smoke rises in Lebanon following an Israeli strike, as seen from the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon, April 16, 2026. FLORION GOGA / REUTERS
US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a ceasefire on Thursday, April 16, and said he was trying to set up the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries. Following what he called "excellent" phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump said the truce would begin within hours.
"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," or 2100 GMT, Trump said on his Truth Social network.
In a televised speech, Netanyahu said that the ceasefire offers an opportunity for a "historic peace agreement" with Beirut, but insisted that the disarmament of militant group Hezbollah remained a precondition. He added that Israel will maintain a 10-kilometer "security zone" along the border in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army told citizens to postpone returning to the south of the country until Israel truce starts.
The US leader said he had directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and top US military officer Dan Caine to work with the two countries "to achieve a Lasting PEACE." Shortly afterward, Trump added that "I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House."
