Chicago – April 16, 2026
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, with the truce set to begin at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. The announcement came after Trump said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, though the deal’s durability remains uncertain amid continued tensions with Hezbollah.
Ceasefire terms
Trump said the arrangement was meant to create “peace between their countries” and could open the door to broader diplomacy. Reuters reported that Trump did not specify the exact day in his initial statement, while a U.S. official later said the ceasefire would begin on April 16. NBC News noted that Trump also directed senior U.S. officials to work with both sides on a longer-term peace effort.
Regional stakes
The ceasefire follows weeks of deadly cross-border fighting involving Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. BBC and Associated Press coverage indicated that Israel would keep forces in southern Lebanon, raising questions about whether the truce can hold. Lebanese and international officials have welcomed the pause, but the situation remains fragile.
