Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks, says Trump

He also said Iran would need to end its funding for Hezbollah as part of efforts to stabilise the region.

The ceasefire extension came after a high-level meeting at the White House, where US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador Nada Moawad in the Oval Office for a second round of US-mediated talks.

Describing the discussions as productive, Trump said the United States would work closely with Lebanon to help it counter the influence of Hezbollah.

“The Meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS,” Trump said.

The meeting was also attended by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

Trump said he expects to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House in the near future.

“I look forward in the near future to hosting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. It was a Great Honor to be a participant at this very Historic Meeting,” Trump said.

The talks took place a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least five people, including a journalist, marking the deadliest day in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into effect on April 16.

Among those killed was Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, according to a senior military official and her employer, Al-Akhbar.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the group supports continuing the ceasefire but only if Israel fully adheres to its terms. Speaking at a televised press conference, he rejected direct negotiations with Israel and called on the Lebanese government to halt all face-to-face engagement.

Clashes between Hezbollah and Israel reignited on March 2, when the group launched attacks in the backing of Iran amid the wider regional conflict. While the ceasefire in Lebanon was negotiated separately from Washington’s efforts to resolve tensions with Tehran, Iran had pushed for Lebanon to be included in any broader agreement.

Hezbollah said it carried out four operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday in retaliation for Israeli strikes.

According to Lebanese authorities, nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel launched its offensive following Hezbollah’s March 2 attack.

After decades of entrenched hostility and no formal diplomatic ties, Israel and Lebanon entered a rare phase of direct engagement, marking an unusual shift in their relationship.
announced
This breakthrough in communication helped pave the way for a 10-day ceasefire announced earlier this month between the two side, offering a temporary pause in fighting and raising cautious hopes for further de-escalation.

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With inputs from Reuters

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