Overview
- President Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon would start a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. ET and said he will invite Benjamin Netanyahu and Joseph Aoun to the White House.
- The pause follows what U.S. officials described as the first direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese envoys in more than 30 years in Washington this week.
- Hezbollah did not take part in the talks, and a senior figure said any halt by the group hinges on Israel stopping its attacks.
- Signals from the parties were mixed, with Lebanon’s presidency welcoming the move as Aoun spoke with Trump while other Lebanese reports said Aoun refused a direct call with Netanyahu and media noted limited formal confirmation.
- Strikes and fighting around southern Lebanon continued around the announcement, including reports of an Israeli hit that cut the last bridge over the Litani River and a fatal car strike, leaving many displaced families unsure it is safe to return.