WASHINGTON : President Donald Trump announced Friday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks, expressing optimism about future diplomatic engagement with both nations.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said he looks forward to hosting the Israeli Prime Minister and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The president also disclosed that he recently met with the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in the Oval Office, describing the meeting as “very good.”
“I am ready to work with Lebanon so that it can protect itself from Hezbollah,” Trump told reporters, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward strengthening Lebanese state institutions against the Iran-backed militant group.
The three-week extension of the ceasefire comes amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. While details of the agreement remain unclear, the president’s remarks suggest an active U.S. role in de-escalation efforts.
Trump did not specify when the proposed meetings with the Israeli Prime Minister and President Aoun would take place, nor did he provide further details on the scope of U.S. assistance to Lebanon.
The announcement follows months of cross-border clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, raising concerns of a wider regional conflict. The extended ceasefire offers a potential window for broader negotiations.
