10-day ceasefire announced between Lebanon and Israel starting tonight
Lebanon Israel 10 day ceasefire moves into active implementation on Thursday evening, following the announcement of a 10-day agreement set to begin at midnight local time, after direct calls led by U.S. President Donald Trump with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in what marks the most significant shift since the latest escalation began.
Lebanon Israel 10 day ceasefire takes effect tonight
According to Reuters, Trump said both sides agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, corresponding to midnight local time.
He described the agreement as the result of “excellent conversations” with Aoun and Netanyahu, adding that the move is intended to open a path toward “lasting peace,” with U.S. officials tasked with overseeing implementation on the ground.
Military positions unchanged despite ceasefire
Despite the announcement, Reuters cited an Israeli official as saying the military will not withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire period. Israeli media also confirmed this approach, indicating the agreement focuses on halting operations without altering troop deployments.
Reports further indicate that Netanyahu is holding consultations with his ministers regarding next steps, as military readiness remains high.
Early divergence over ceasefire interpretation
Alongside the announcement, early signs of differing interpretations of the ceasefire terms have emerged, according to regional and Israeli media reports.
Al Jazeera, citing a senior Hezbollah source, reported that the ceasefire must include a full halt to military operations across all Lebanese territory, rejecting any arrangement that would grant Israeli forces “freedom of movement.”
In contrast, Israel’s Channel 12 reported, citing a source, that the ceasefire could allow Israel to act militarily if any threat is detected, highlighting a potential gap in rules of engagement during the truce period.
Lebanese response and regional signals
In Lebanon, the prime minister welcomed the ceasefire announcement, describing it as consistent with Beirut’s demands since the beginning of the escalation. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that MP Hassan Fadlallah said the Iranian ambassador had informed Lebanese officials that the agreement would take effect tonight, pointing to broader regional involvement in the de-escalation process.
This comes as Israeli strikes were reported in southern Lebanon in recent hours, underscoring the fragile and volatile situation ahead of the ceasefire’s implementation.
Temporary pause or political opening?
The agreement represents the first clearly defined, time-bound truce since the latest escalation began, following direct engagements in Washington aimed at containing tensions and preventing a wider conflict.
However, with forces remaining in place and no clear enforcement or monitoring mechanisms disclosed, the ceasefire may serve as an initial test, determining whether both sides are prepared to move toward broader negotiations in the days ahead.
