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President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, beginning Thursday at 5 P.M. ET, just days after diplomats from each country sat down for discussions under the watchful eye of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel,” President Trump said in a Truth Social statement.
He continued, “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…I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE.”
The president followed up on his initial statement with an additional update, announcing that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Aoun have both been invited to meet at the White House.
“Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly!” the president stated.
Such a meeting would be historic. Until this week, Lebanon and Israel had not engaged in direct talks for at least three decades, as reported by RSBN. According to the president, these are the first “meaningful talks” between the two nations since 1983.
Israel has relentlessly struck Lebanon as the war with Iran has unfolded, purportedly going after Hezbollah hotspots within the country. Unfortunately, thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, including many women and children.
The 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is a step in the right direction as the United States’ ceasefire with Iran is set to end next Tuesday. Currently, the U.S. military is holding a massive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as President Trump aims to squeeze the nation into submission through economic pressure.
According to General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the U.S. has so far blocked 13 ships in the Strait during this operation.
