Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by three weeks President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks following talks at the White House. The announcement came after a second round of discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials hosted by the Trump administration. According to Trump, the extension builds on an earlier ceasefire agreement and aims to provide additional time for diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border. The president emphasized that the extension was reached after what he described as productive conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The White House meeting included senior U.S. Officials such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, alongside ambassadors from both Israel and Lebanon. Trump noted that the discussions were part of ongoing efforts to prevent further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group operating in southern Lebanon. While celebrating the ceasefire extension, Trump reiterated his stance that he would not rush into a broader nuclear deal with Iran, suggesting that any future negotiations would require careful consideration and time. He framed the Israel-Lebanon agreement as a step toward regional stability but cautioned against expecting rapid progress on other fronts. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, with recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon drawing international concern. Lebanese officials have reported casualties from Israeli strikes, including the death of journalist Amal Khalil, whose funeral was held in the village of Baysariyeh on Thursday. Trump’s administration has positioned itself as a mediator in the Israel-Lebanon conflict, building on previous diplomatic engagements aimed at reducing hostilities. The three-week extension reflects a continued U.S. Push to maintain calm along the border while longer-term solutions are explored. The ceasefire extension underscores the fragile nature of the current situation and the reliance on U.S. Facilitation to prevent further violence. As the three-week period begins, regional and international observers will monitor compliance and assess whether the additional time yields meaningful progress toward a durable agreement.
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