President Donald Trump said Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah for three more weeks following talks in Washington. The pause in fighting was originally set to expire Monday after a 10-day agreement that began last Friday.
Trump said discussions between the two countries’ ambassadors to the US “went very well," according to the Associated Press. It marked the second round of high-level talks in recent days aimed at maintaining the ceasefire.
“The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah,” Trump said in a social media post. He added that he expects to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun “in the near future.”
The meeting at the White House included Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter. US officials present included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, State Department Counsellor Michael Needham, Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.
The extension comes as both sides prepare for broader negotiations. Lebanese officials have outlined several goals for future talks, including a full halt to Israeli strikes, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, and the deployment of Lebanese forces along the border.
Aoun said earlier this week that Lebanon would also push for an end to Israeli home demolitions in areas occupied during the recent conflict.
Israel has stressed Hezbollah’s role as the main barrier to a longer-term agreement. Speaking to Israeli diplomats, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, “We don’t have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved.”
He added, “The obstacle to peace and normalization between the countries is one: Hezbollah,” and said Lebanon could have “a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from the Iranian occupation.”
The current conflict began after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, leading Israel to invade
Trump said discussions between the two countries’ ambassadors to the US “went very well," according to the Associated Press. It marked the second round of high-level talks in recent days aimed at maintaining the ceasefire.
“The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah,” Trump said in a social media post. He added that he expects to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun “in the near future.”
The meeting at the White House included Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter. US officials present included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, State Department Counsellor Michael Needham, Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.
The extension comes as both sides prepare for broader negotiations. Lebanese officials have outlined several goals for future talks, including a full halt to Israeli strikes, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, and the deployment of Lebanese forces along the border.
Aoun said earlier this week that Lebanon would also push for an end to Israeli home demolitions in areas occupied during the recent conflict.
Israel has stressed Hezbollah’s role as the main barrier to a longer-term agreement. Speaking to Israeli diplomats, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, “We don’t have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. There are a few minor border disputes that can be solved.”
He added, “The obstacle to peace and normalization between the countries is one: Hezbollah,” and said Lebanon could have “a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from the Iranian occupation.”
The current conflict began after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, leading Israel to invade
