However, this move immediately faced mixed reactions as the conflict continued to escalate on the ground.
US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a 10-day ceasefire, starting from 5 pm East on April 16 (4 am on April 17 Vietnam time). The information was released by him on the social network Truth Social after exchanges that he described as "very positive" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Mr. Trump, the talks took place in Washington D.C., with the participation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This is considered the first direct contact between Israel and Lebanon in 34 years.
Mr. Trump also affirmed that he had directed US officials to coordinate with the two sides towards a "long-term peace", and called this his "10th achievement".
However, this statement does not mention the military campaign that Israel is conducting against Hezbollah forces, after expanding attacks on southern Lebanon since the beginning of March. Israel is accused of seeking to control about 15% of its territory.
Just a week earlier, the Israeli army launched the largest airstrike since the conflict broke out, targeting the central area of Beirut, just hours after the US and Iran announced a 2-week ceasefire agreement.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,000 people and injured thousands, including many women and children. About 1.2 million people have been displaced.
In a subsequent post, Mr. Trump said he had invited Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr. Joseph Aoun to the White House, calling it "the first meaningful dialogue since 1983".
However, Israel is said to have reacted strongly. According to the country's media, officials expressed "indignation" when Mr. Trump announced the agreement even before the Israeli security cabinet met to discuss it.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then told ministers that the ceasefire was implemented "at Mr. Trump's request", but the Israeli army would remain in place in southern Lebanon.
The ceasefire announcement was made amid ongoing airstrikes. On the same day, Israel expanded its military campaign, attacking Mayfadoun village, killing 4 medical staff and injuring 6 others. Airstrikes were also recorded near one of the last operating hospitals in the southern Lebanese town of Tebnine.
