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Lebanon is celebrating the start of a 10-day ceasefire, opening the door to talks on a long-term Israel-Lebanon agreement.
Published on 17 April 2026
Celebrations took place in Lebanon after a 10-day ceasefire took effect, paving the way for talks on a long-term agreement between Israeli and Lebanese officials, according to the US State Department.
United States President Donald Trump has said a deal to end the war on Iran is “very close”, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the ceasefire, calling it part of a broader effort with Washington to prevent regional conflict.
This is what we know:
in Iran
- Deal ‘very close’: Trump said a deal to end the war on Iran is close, with the next round of talks possibly taking place in Islamabad later this week.
- ‘Despite progress, flaws remain’: Tehran-based analyst Abbas Aslani said US-Iran talks have made progress, but key differences remain, with both sides preparing to either reach a negotiated settlement or return to war as Trump appears to want to stay away from conflict.
in America
- Trump hopes Hezbollah will ‘do a good job’: Trump said Thursday he expected Hezbollah to “do a good and good job” during the 10-day ceasefire.
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White House invitation extended: “I will invite Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House,” Trump said on his Truth social network.
- Trump mocks oil price warnings: Speaking in Las Vegas, Trump dismissed warnings that a war on Iran could send oil to “$300 a barrel”, saying markets remained strong despite conflict-related volatility and global fuel disruptions.
in israel
- Netanyahu hails ceasefire: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon provided the opportunity for a “historic peace deal” with Beirut, but stressed that Hezbollah’s disarmament would remain a prerequisite.
- Seven killed in Israeli attack: Hours before a ceasefire between the two countries came into effect, the health ministry said at least seven people were killed and 33 wounded in an Israeli attack on the southern Lebanese city of Ghaziyah.
- Israeli frustration grows: Analyst Abed Abu Shadeh said many Israelis, especially in the north, feel betrayed after being promised “complete victory” and a buffer zone in southern Lebanon.
- Main goals out of reach: Israel’s objective in disarming Hezbollah is unclear, with analysts saying it lacks the troops and capacity to completely take over Lebanon.
- The Israeli opposition criticized the ceasefire: Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the Lebanon ceasefire, saying it failed to address the threat to northern communities, and promised that a future government would take a tougher stance.
in Lebanon
- Lebanese PM welcomes ceasefire: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salaam said he “welcomes” Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire with Israel.
- Hezbollah in ceasefire: Trump said the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would also include Iran-backed Hezbollah.
- Hezbollah ‘behind the scenes’: Analyst Rami Khoury says Hezbollah is central to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, but it is working “behind the scenes”, with its complex relationship with the Lebanese government shaping how the ceasefire plays out.
- ‘Temporary ceasefire’ increases fear: Reporting from Sidon, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said residents are worried because Israel is demanding Hezbollah’s disarmament while refusing to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Beirut is pushing for a full Israeli withdrawal – a key division that leaves the ceasefire fragile and far from permanent.
