Trump extends Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by three weeks after White House meeting

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday (April 23) that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks. The extension is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides’ leaders to potentially meet at the White House. Trump also said that Iran must stop its financial support for Hezbollah as part of broader efforts to maintain stability in the region.

The extension follows a high-level meeting at the White House, where Trump hosted Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador Nada Moawad in the Oval Office. The meeting marked a second round of US-mediated discussions aimed at easing tensions.

Calling the discussions productive, Trump said Washington would work closely with Lebanon to counter the influence of Hezbollah. "The Meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS," Trump said. The meeting was attended by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

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Trump added that he expects to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House soon. "I look forward in the near future to hosting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. It was a Great Honor to be a participant at this very Historic Meeting," Trump said. The diplomatic talks came a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least five people in Lebanon, including journalist Amal Khalil, marking the deadliest day in the country since the ceasefire took effect on April 16.

Al-Akhbar confirmed Khalil’s death, citing a senior military official. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the group supports continuing the ceasefire, but only if Israel fully complies with its terms. Speaking during a televised press conference, he rejected direct negotiations with Israel and urged the Lebanese government to stop all face-to-face engagement. Clashes between Hezbollah and Israel resumed on March 2, when the group launched attacks with backing from Iran amid broader regional tensions. While the ceasefire in Lebanon was negotiated separately from Washington’s efforts with Tehran, Iran had pushed for Lebanon to be included in a wider agreement.

Hezbollah said it carried out four operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday in response to Israeli strikes. As per Lebanese authorities, nearly 2,500 people have been killed since Israel began its offensive following Hezbollah’s March 2 attacks. Despite decades of hostility and no formal diplomatic relations, Israel and Lebanon have recently entered a rare phase of direct engagement, signaling an unusual shift in ties.

This progress helped pave the way for a 10-day ceasefire announced earlier this month, offering a temporary halt in fighting and raising cautious hopes for further de-escalation.

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