04/16/2026
On social media, US President Trump announces ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon beginning at midnight on this day. Israeli cabinet members only learn of the agreement through the social media. Israel reserved its right to self-defense "against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks," but also committed to "not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, and sea." Both countries requested that the U.S. facilitate further negotiations, according to the ceasefire agreement published by the U.S. State Department. The deal does not explicitly require Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, although it does spell out which six Lebanese state security forces are allowed to carry arms.
Many Israelis are angry that they were not consulted, that the agreement does not restrict Hezbollah, and that it does not mention the buffer zone that Israel has created below the Litani River in Lebanon. However, it does not require Israel to exit the territory it has occupied.
