Politics Trump announces extension of ceasefire in Lebanon
The current ceasefire between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Israel is to be extended by three weeks, according to US President Donald Trump. He made the announcement on his Truth Social platform after a meeting of representatives of the hostile neighboring countries Israel and Lebanon at the White House. The current ten-day ceasefire would have expired late Sunday evening without an extension.
24.04.2026, 02:38
SDA
Hezbollah did not comment initially. Following the announcement of the first ceasefire, it had left open whether it would adhere to it.
Trump announces meeting with Netanyahu and Aoun
"The United States will work with Lebanon to help it protect itself from Hezbollah," said Trump. In response to a reporter's question, he said that he was also taking Iran's financing of the militia into account. As long as Iran was financing Hezbollah, there would be no agreement in the Iran war. "That is a must", said Trump.
He would also be receiving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the near future. He plans to hold the meeting during the extended ceasefire.
Trump described the previous meeting in the White House as historic. According to him, the US ambassadors to Israel and Lebanon were present alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Israel's ambassador to the USA, Jechiel Leiter, and the Lebanese ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad were also present.
Rare meeting in Washington
Direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon had already taken place in Washington last week: Their ambassadors to the US met at the US State Department for talks - the first meeting of its kind in decades. However, Lebanon wants to curb Hezbollah's influence in the country and is not an active party to the militia's war with Israel. The Lebanese government has recently increased the pressure on Hezbollah.
Despite the ceasefire, there are still deadly incidents in southern Lebanon. The current ceasefire agreement states that Israel should refrain from "offensive" operations against targets in Lebanon. However, the country is allowed to defend itself against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks. Both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement.
Trump: Israel will proceed "cautiously"
In the White House, Trump emphasized Israel's right to defend itself. "But they will do so carefully, and they will do so precisely," said Trump.
According to Netanyahu, Israel is seeking a permanent peace agreement with Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The Lebanese government wants to achieve a permanent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the south of the country. However, Hezbollah has so far refused to give up its weapons and Israel's troops have been stationed in southern Lebanon for a year and a half - so far with no prospect of a rapid withdrawal. A comprehensive peace agreement is therefore questionable.
Lebanon: "Can't live with a buffer zone"
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged the US government to increase the pressure on Israel with regard to its ground troops in southern Lebanon. Lebanon could not sign any agreement that did not include a "complete withdrawal" of Israeli troops, Salam told the "Washington Post". One could "not live with a so-called buffer zone" in which residents could not return to their homes in the south.
Israel is talking about a "security zone" to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks. According to Netanyahu, this area, which is around ten kilometers wide, should extend from the Mediterranean to the Syrian border. Critics speak of an illegal occupation and possible war crimes. For example, Israel's army has systematically destroyed important bridges and roads in the south and, according to Israeli reports, houses with bulldozers and other construction vehicles.
According to Israel, its highly controversial plan to destroy all houses in villages near the border is intended to prevent Hezbollah fighters from continuing to hide there and carry out attacks on Israel.
Fighting closely linked to Iran war
The war in Lebanon is closely linked to the war in Iran because Iran is Hezbollah's most important supporter and the militia is also acting in the interests of or on instructions from Tehran. In the Iran war, Trump also recently unilaterally extended an existing ceasefire shortly before it was due to expire. The weapons are to remain silent until the Iranian leadership comes to the negotiating table with a united proposal, as Trump announced.
Since the start of the Iran war at the end of February, Hezbollah and the Israeli military have also been engaged in another serious confrontation. In response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hezbollah has been firing rockets towards Israel again since the beginning of March. Several people have been killed there. The Israeli air force responded with massive airstrikes, killing more than 2,000 people and displacing around 1.2 million. The Israeli military also increased its presence in southern Lebanon and advanced further there with its ground troops in order to take action against Hezbollah, according to its own statements.
