Israel and Lebanon Reach 10-Day Ceasefire: What This Means

Sat Apr 18 2026 15:04:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a significant development, a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been announced, following intense exchanges of fire. US President Trump facilitated the agreement, inviting leaders from both nations to discuss further peace talks.

A 10-day ceasefire has been established between Israel and Lebanon, aimed at facilitating peace negotiations. The ceasefire was announced by US President Trump, who urged Hezbollah to comply. While both nations welcomed the truce, concerns remain over ongoing skirmishes and the role of Hezbollah. The terms stipulate Israel's right to defense while Lebanon is tasked with limiting attacks by militant groups.

US President Donald Trump has announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, which took effect from 17:00 EST (21:00 GMT; midnight local time) on 16 April.

There was no mention in Trump's statement of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, with which Israel has been exchanging fire for the past six weeks. However, in a later post on Truth Social, Trump urged the group to abide by the ceasefire, saying, I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time.

Following the announcement, the US president also invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House for further talks.

Here is what we know about the truce.

What does the agreement say?

The terms of the deal specify that the ceasefire is set to last 10 days, with the possibility it being extended by mutual agreement if negotiations show signs of progress.

According to further details provided by the US State Department:

Israel retains its right to take all necessary measures in self-defence, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks

Lebanon must take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all other rogue non-state armed groups from carrying out attacks against Israeli targets

Those involved recognise that Lebanon's security forces have exclusive responsibility for Lebanon's security

Israel and Lebanon requested that the US continues to facilitate further direct talks with the objective of resolving all remaining issues

The statement added that the truce was a gesture of goodwill by Israel intended to enable good-faith negotiations towards a permanent security and peace agreement between the two parties.

What have the various sides said about it?

Israel and Lebanon's leaders have both welcomed the truce, with Netanyahu calling it an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he hopes the agreement will allow those who have been displaced by the conflict to return to their homes.

Hezbollah has also signalled a willingness to participate in the ceasefire but insists it must include a comprehensive halt to attacks across Lebanon and no freedom of movement for Israeli forces.

The Iran-backed group, while deeply embedded in Lebanon, is not part of the Lebanese government's security apparatus.

Iran's foreign ministry welcomed the ceasefire, expressing solidarity with Lebanon. UN Secretary General António Guterres commended the role of the US in facilitating the ceasefire.

Despite the agreement, Netanyahu stated Israeli troops would maintain a 10km-deep security zone in southern Lebanon to block potential invasions.

Negotiations involved rare direct talks in Washington, which sought to ease the ongoing conflict, marked by recent strikes on Beirut and in southern Lebanon.

This ceasefire comes amid significant casualties and destruction, as tensions in the region remain high.