Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has been prolonged for an additional three weeks following what he described as a momentous negotiation session. The decision was reached during a meeting at the Oval Office involving US, Israeli, and Lebanese officials, with Trump emphasizing US support for Lebanon in enhancing its defenses against Hezbollah.
Trump, along with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations, describing them as highly successful. Trump expressed gratitude for participating in what he termed a significant gathering and eagerly anticipated hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the near future.
In a post on Truth Social after the meeting, Trump affirmed the United States’ commitment to collaborating with Lebanon to bolster its defenses against Hezbollah. He also reiterated the extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon for three weeks and expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming visits of Netanyahu and Aoun to the White House for further discussions on a sustainable peace accord.
Trump highlighted the imminent discussions with Aoun and Netanyahu as the US endeavors towards a comprehensive peace agreement, taking into account the challenges posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon. He expressed optimism about resolving issues in Lebanon while concurrently addressing matters concerning Iran.
The negotiations coincided with Lebanon’s accusation against Israel for alleged war crimes following the death of a journalist and injury of another due to Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the targeting of journalists and relief teams, labeling the incidents as war crimes.
The IDF countered the accusations, stating that the airstrikes were in response to vehicles approaching Israeli troops in a threatening manner after crossing a ceasefire line. The IDF’s statement emphasized the immediate threat posed by the vehicles, which had departed from a Hezbollah military structure.
The conflict has led to significant casualties, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting 2,294 deaths in Israeli attacks since late February, including numerous women and children. Israeli officials, on the other hand, highlighted Hezbollah’s actions, which resulted in casualties among Israeli civilians and soldiers during combat in Lebanon.
