Trump has announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
US President Donald Trump has announced the extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon for a further three weeks. He made the announcement following a meeting with representatives from both countries at the White House, according to The New York Times.
According to Trump, the talks took place in the Oval Office and were attended by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Hakabi and Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. “The
meeting went very well,” he noted.
Trump also emphasised that the United States would work with Lebanon to help counter “Hezbollah”.
“The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended for three weeks,” he wrote.
The US President added that he is expecting a visit in the near future from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
“It was a great honour to be part of this very historic meeting,” he noted.
The ceasefire, which was due to end on 26 April, will remain in place until 17 May, according to Trump. It was reached following an escalation of the situation, during which Israel carried out strikes on southern Lebanon and Hezbollah fired rockets into Israeli territory.
Hezbollah representatives did not take part in the talks and have not publicly commented on the extension of the ceasefire. There was also no immediate reaction from the Israeli and Lebanese governments.
Before the ceasefire was agreed, nearly 2,300 people had been killed in Lebanon and 13 in Israel as a result of the fighting. After it came into effect, the number of attacks decreased, but the sides continued to exchange fire.
On the day of Trump’s statement, Israel and Hezbollah carried out further attacks in southern Lebanon. In particular, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, three people were killed as a result of an Israeli strike near the town of Nabatieh.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for three separate attacks on Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon. According to available information, there were no casualties.
