The leaders of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire from 17:00 EST (21:00 GMT; midnight local time), US President Donald Trump has announced.
For the past six weeks, Israel and Hezbollah - an Iran-backed armed group - have been fighting in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel's participation in the truce, but emphasized that troops would maintain a 10km-deep 'security zone' in the country’s south, stating, 'We are there, and we are not leaving.'
Hezbollah has shown willingness to participate in the ceasefire but demands a comprehensive halt to attacks across all Lebanese territory and prohibits Israeli forces' movements in Lebanon.
The latest conflict, which began on 2 March, was triggered by a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, leading to Hezbollah's retaliatory missile strikes against northern Israel. The fighting has resulted in at least 2,196 fatalities on the Lebanese side and claims from Israeli officials regarding civilian casualties in Israel.
Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington aimed to ease the conflict, which has led to significant destruction and displacement within Lebanon.
Furthermore, Trump expressed optimism regarding future peace talks, inviting Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House, marking a diplomatic milestone since discussions ceased in 1983.
While the ceasefire may serve as a temporary reprieve, crucial questions about Hezbollah's weaponry and controlling attacks remain unresolved, with Lebanon asserting that disarming Hezbollah must be negotiated rather than enforced.
For the past six weeks, Israel and Hezbollah - an Iran-backed armed group - have been fighting in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel's participation in the truce, but emphasized that troops would maintain a 10km-deep 'security zone' in the country’s south, stating, 'We are there, and we are not leaving.'
Hezbollah has shown willingness to participate in the ceasefire but demands a comprehensive halt to attacks across all Lebanese territory and prohibits Israeli forces' movements in Lebanon.
The latest conflict, which began on 2 March, was triggered by a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, leading to Hezbollah's retaliatory missile strikes against northern Israel. The fighting has resulted in at least 2,196 fatalities on the Lebanese side and claims from Israeli officials regarding civilian casualties in Israel.
Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington aimed to ease the conflict, which has led to significant destruction and displacement within Lebanon.
Furthermore, Trump expressed optimism regarding future peace talks, inviting Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House, marking a diplomatic milestone since discussions ceased in 1983.
While the ceasefire may serve as a temporary reprieve, crucial questions about Hezbollah's weaponry and controlling attacks remain unresolved, with Lebanon asserting that disarming Hezbollah must be negotiated rather than enforced.
