The US President said the truce would begin at 5 PM EST (9 PM GMT), describing it as an initial step towards broader peace efforts. 

 

He stated that the announcement followed discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

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Talks held in Washington

According to Trump, representatives from Israel and Lebanon met earlier this week in Washington for the first such engagement in more than three decades. 

 

The discussions were held alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The US administration has tasked senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, with continuing efforts to secure a longer-term arrangement.

Proposal for direct talks at White House

Trump also indicated plans to invite Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for direct talks, which would mark the first significant engagement between Israel and Lebanon at that level since 1983.

The proposal follows ongoing diplomatic outreach aimed at sustaining communication between the two sides.

Hezbollah's response

A senior member of Hezbollah said the group had been briefed on a potential ceasefire by Iran’s envoy in Beirut shortly before the public announcement.

The lawmaker indicated that any commitment to the truce would depend on whether Israel halts all forms of military activity. 

 

The response suggests that developments on the ground will influence the group’s position.

Recent escalation

The latest escalation began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets, missiles and drones targeting a defence site near Haifa following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

In response, Israel carried out strikes on Beirut suburbs and other locations, alongside issuing evacuation orders in parts of southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.

Truce seen as temporary pause

If implemented, the 10-day ceasefire is expected to act as a temporary pause, allowing both sides to assess conditions and consider further diplomatic engagement.

The effectiveness of the truce will depend on adherence by both parties and continued communication during the period.