Trump announces 3-week extension of Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

LEXINGTON, Ky. — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would be extended for three weeks as the U.S. attempts to broker a broader peace agreement amid escalating regional tensions, according to LEX 18 News.

Trump made the announcement via social media following in-person talks at the White House involving officials from the U.S., Israel and Lebanon. "The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS," he wrote.

The extension represents a significant diplomatic development in the Middle East conflict. Trump said he would soon host the heads of government from both countries for additional in-person negotiations aimed at reaching a more permanent resolution.

The ceasefire extension builds on negotiations that began in April, marking the first direct talks between senior Israeli and Lebanese officials in more than 30 years. Those earlier discussions produced a 10-day ceasefire agreement between the neighboring nations.

However, significant obstacles remain to a lasting peace. Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., has rejected the ceasefire agreement, calling it "an insult to our country and a slippery slope with no end in sight." The militant group has particularly objected to Israeli military personnel maintaining a presence in Lebanon.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli and Hezbollah forces have continued to exchange fire. As recently as Monday, the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed striking Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon, claiming they eliminated militants who violated ceasefire terms and posed an imminent threat to Israeli troops.

The diplomatic push comes as tensions across the broader Middle East region remain elevated, with the ongoing conflict in Iran intensifying regional instability.