Israel, Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire, Trump says

CBC - A 10-day ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, six weeks into a renewed war with Hezbollah that has killed more than 2,000 people, caused widespread destruction and driven more than a million residents from their homes.

The ceasefire is expected to begin at 5 p.m. ET, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The announcement came days after officials from Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades, hosted by the United States in Washington on Tuesday. Israel had ruled out discussion of a ceasefire with Lebanon during the talks.

Officials from Lebanon and Israel have yet to comment on the announcement or provide any details of the deal.

Following Trump's announcement on Thursday, an Israeli security official said the military has no plans to withdraw forces from southern Lebanon during a ceasefire, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet has convened for an "urgent discussion" on the ceasefire Thursday afternoon, a cabinet source said.

Earlier on Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Trump to help secure a ceasefire for his country in the first call ever between the two leaders.

Aoun's office said he spoke to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately and thanked them for their efforts in reaching a ceasefire in Lebanon.