U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire with Hezbollah by three weeks following talks held at the White House.
Trump said discussions between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States “went very well,” marking the second round of high-level negotiations since last week. The initial 10-day ceasefire, which began last Friday, had been due to expire on Monday.
“The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah,” Trump said, adding that he hopes to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the near future.
The talks included senior U.S. officials such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside diplomats from both countries.
Lebanese representatives expressed appreciation for U.S. mediation efforts, while Israel reiterated its position that disarming Hezbollah remains key to lasting peace. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the militant group as the main obstacle to normalisation between the two countries.
Lebanon, meanwhile, is expected to push for broader negotiations aimed at a permanent ceasefire, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops, release of detainees, and reconstruction efforts in affected areas.
Despite the extension, tensions remain high. Hezbollah has rejected the talks, stating it will not adhere to any agreements reached through direct negotiations.
The conflict, which escalated after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel in early March, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with thousands killed and over a million people affected in Lebanon.
While the ceasefire extension offers temporary relief, both sides have reported violations, underscoring the fragility of the truce.
