Israel And Lebanon Begin 10-Day Ceasefire As Trump Invites Netanyahu And Joseph Aoun

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at 5 p.m. Thursday, with President Donald Trump saying the leaders had agreed after officials from the two countries met in Washington.

Trump wrote that the temporary truce would start at 5 p.m. ET and said he would invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon to the White House for “the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983.”

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The U.S. State Department said in a statement that Israel and Lebanon “will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while preserving Israel’s “inherent right to self-defense.”

The Times of Israel published the ceasefire text, saying it was declared by Trump on April 16, 2026, and that the agreement followed “productive direct talks on April 14” brokered by the United States.

The ceasefire text also said both nations would work toward “genuine security along their shared border,” and that “the only forces authorized to bear arms in Lebanon will be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)” and other specified Lebanese security bodies.

In parallel, CBS News reported that an Israeli official told CBS News the country agreed to only respond to “imminent threats from Hezbollah,” while CNN reported that Netanyahu said Israeli forces will not withdraw from positions in southern Lebanon.

As the truce began, Beirut’s skyline was lit with celebratory gunfire and fireworks, but the Lebanese army simultaneously accused Israel of violating the agreement through “a number” of aggressions.

The ceasefire’s start immediately triggered competing signals about enforcement and future negotiations, with multiple outlets describing accusations, diplomacy, and uncertainty about Hezbollah’s stance.

CNN said that “Hours after a 10-day truce in Lebanon began, the Lebanese army accused Israel of violating the ceasefire,” alleging intermittent shelling in the south, while also noting that Hezbollah “reserves the right to respond to attacks.”

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France 24 reported that the Lebanese army accused Israel of violating the truce through “a number” of aggressions and called on residents and displaced people to exercise caution as they began returning home.

The BBC reported that many residents of northern Israel denounced the 10-day ceasefire meant to stop fighting with Hezbollah, saying local officials were “caught by surprise,” and quoted David Azulay saying, “Residents of the north feel they have been betrayed once again.”

In Washington, CBS News said top Pakistani officials were visiting Iran and other Gulf states and possibly returning to Washington soon as they raced to orchestrate a new round of U.S.-Iran talks.

CNBC reported that Trump believed an agreement would be struck in which Lebanon is “going to take care of Hezbollah,” and said the next round of in-person negotiations could take place “probably, maybe, next weekend.”

The Times of Israel’s published text said Israel and Lebanon “commit to engaging in good-faith direct negotiations, facilitated by the United States,” with the objective of achieving a comprehensive agreement for “lasting security, stability, and peace.”

NBC News said the U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire and urged everyone to “fully respect the ceasefire and to comply with international law at all times.”

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera described how the war had “upended daily life in Lebanon,” with prices soaring and fears of shortages prompting panic-buying, even as the truce began.

Multiple reports tied the ceasefire to the question of whether Hezbollah would accept or respond, while Netanyahu and Trump framed the objectives and the limits of Israeli withdrawal.

CNN said Netanyahu told Israelis that Israeli forces will not withdraw from positions in southern Lebanon, and it also reported that a Hezbollah official warned the group reserves the right to respond to attacks.

The BBC quoted Netanyahu’s video address on Thursday evening, in which he told Israelis: “We are staying in southern Lebanon within a reinforced security zone,” and said Israel had two main goals in talks with Lebanon: disarming Hezbollah and a sustainable peace agreement.

CNBC reported that Trump told reporters outside the White House that he believes an agreement will be struck in which Lebanon is “going to take care of Hezbollah,” and it also said Trump rejected the terms demanded by Hezbollah, according to CBS News.

CBS News added that an Israeli official told CBS News the country agreed to only respond to “imminent threats from Hezbollah,” while remaining uncertain how Hezbollah will respond.

France 24 reported that Hezbollah said it was keeping its “finger on the trigger” in case Israel violates the ceasefire, and it quoted the group saying, “The fighters will keep their finger on the trigger because they are wary of the enemy’s treachery.”

The New York Times reported that Hezbollah acknowledged the cease-fire on Thursday but did not directly address whether it would accept the truce, saying its actions would be “based on how developments unfold.”

In a separate thread, NBC News said Netanyahu had not agreed to withdraw from southern Lebanon, a key demand of Hezbollah, and that the Iran-backed militant group must be dismantled.

Across the diplomatic and political landscape, Trump also posted that it “May have been a historic day for Lebanon,” and urged Hezbollah to “acts nicely and well during this important period in time,” adding “No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!”

Even as the ceasefire removed a major obstacle to U.S.-Iran peace talks, multiple outlets described violations, displacement, and the scale of human impact.

The New York Times reported that thousands of displaced families flooded the main highway to southern Lebanon on Friday hours after the 10-day ceasefire went into effect, and it said the cease-fire “removes a major obstacle to U.S.-Iran peace talks.”

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It also reported that Israel and Hezbollah traded strikes on Thursday right up to midnight, when the cease-fire took effect, and that the Lebanese army said it had recorded several Israeli violations after the cease-fire went into effect.

France 24 said the Lebanese army called on residents and displaced people to exercise caution as they began returning to their homes, while CNN said displaced families began moving toward southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs despite warnings not to attempt to return until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.

CBS News reported that the Lebanese army posted on social media that there had been “a number of violations of the agreement, with several Israeli attacks recorded, in addition to intermittent shelling targeting a number of villages.”

NBC News reported a death toll in Iran and across the region, saying Iran’s forensics chief said more than 3,300 people had been killed in the country since U.S.-Israeli strikes began Feb. 28, and it added that more than 2,100 people had been killed in Lebanon.

NBC News also said more than 2,100 people had been killed in Lebanon, 32 have been killed in Gulf states, and 23 have died in Israel, and it reported that thirteen U.S. service members have been killed with two more dying of noncombat causes.

Al Jazeera’s segment on daily life described how fears of shortages prompted people to panic-buy medicines and how prices had soared and work slowed to a crawl in Beirut.

In parallel, Vox described the ceasefire as a pause that could “pause fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group” and said Israel has occupied about 15 percent of Lebanon’s territory, while Hezbollah’s creation in 1982 followed Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, according to the Vox excerpt.

The combined picture from these reports shows a truce that begins amid contested compliance and continuing disruption for civilians moving back toward the south.

The ceasefire’s implementation is tied in the reporting to a broader regional agenda that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, managing energy and shipping disruptions, and preparing for possible escalation if diplomacy fails.

CNN said a virtual meeting of the leaders of Britain and France would be held Friday to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and it added that world leaders from 40 countries were expected to discuss supporting the fragile ceasefire with Iran and reopening and security of shipping routes through the strait.

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France 24 reported that European countries have mine clearance capacity and that French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin told French TV station TF1 that “There are capabilities to provide fully supported escort services […] for ships to ensure safe passage through the strait.”

It also said France and Britain would chair a meeting of around 40 countries aimed at signaling to the United States that allies are ready to play a role in restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

CNN said U.S. officials reported troops in the Middle East were “rearming” and stand ready to resume combat if Iran negotiations fail, while maintaining a naval blockade in the region.

NBC News said the U.S. military had turned back 13 ships since it launched its blockade of Iranian ports on Monday, and it quoted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warning Iran “we’re watching you” and saying the U.S. was “locked and loaded.”

In the political realm, the ceasefire text emphasized that Israel and Lebanon are “not at war” and committed to negotiations facilitated by the United States, while also stating that the United States intends to lead international efforts to support Lebanon.

At the same time, the BBC reported that Trump said he was “close” to a deal with Iran, and it quoted UAE diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash saying Gulf states view Iran as the “main enemy,” citing missile and drone attacks.

With the truce’s short duration, the reporting repeatedly returned to the question of whether the ceasefire can be extended and whether Hezbollah will restrain itself, as Hezbollah said it would keep its “finger on the trigger” if Israel violates the truce.