Workers clear rubble after an Israeli airstrike. (Archive image, Beirut, April 11, 2026)Image: keystone
US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday evening. The most important thing in brief.
April 16, 2026, 8:23 p.mApril 16, 2026, 8:36 p.m
That’s what Trump says
More than six weeks after the start of the latest escalation between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire. It should begin at midnight (local time, 11 p.m. CEST) and initially last ten days, he wrote on his Truth Social platform after discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He will invite both of them to a meeting in the White House.
US President Donald Trump was the first to speak about the ceasefire.Image: keystone
The new breakthrough follows direct talks in Washington in which the ambassadors of the rival countries met directly for political negotiations for the first time in decades. According to US information, it was previously said that the talks could lead to a “comprehensive peace agreement”.
That’s what Hezbollah says
The Hezbollah militia initially left it open whether it would adhere to the ceasefire in Lebanon announced by US President Donald Trump. Any ceasefire must apply “comprehensively to the entire Lebanese territory” and must not allow any troop movements by Israel, the pro-Iranian militia said.
“The ongoing Israeli occupation of our land gives Lebanon and its people the right to resist.” This question – i.e. about the further fight against Israel – will be decided “depending on the development of events.”
The Lebanese government is not an active party to the conflict and is trying to de-escalate the situation. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the ceasefire. The government has long had little to no influence on the activities of the Hezbollah militia, but has increased pressure under the leadership of President Aoun.
That’s what Israel says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed a ten-day ceasefire in the conflict with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. “I have agreed to a temporary ceasefire of ten days,” Netanyahu said in a video message.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Image: keystone
The aim is to give a chance to talks about a peace agreement with Lebanon, which began with a meeting of envoys from both countries in Washington. Israel has two central demands: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the agreement of a lasting peace between the two states.
During the ceasefire, the Israeli army will remain in a “reinforced security zone” in southern Lebanon. This extends from the Mediterranean to the Syrian border and is around ten kilometers wide. This serves to protect the towns in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.
“We have the opportunity to conclude a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” said Netanyahu. US President Donald Trump invited Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and him to try to advance such an agreement. This opportunity only exists because Israel has achieved a fundamental change in the balance in the fight against Hezbollah in recent years. That is why the Lebanese leadership made Israel the offer of direct peace talks. Netanyahu said he agreed.
This is what has happened so far
Since the start of the Iran war at the end of February, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been engaged in another serious confrontation. In response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hezbollah has been firing rockets towards Israel again since the beginning of March. The Israeli Air Force has since responded with massive air strikes. There were heavy fighting in the south and attacks in the east as well as the capital Beirut and its suburbs.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, almost 2,200 people have been killed in the renewed fighting. According to the information, there are numerous women and children among them. The Israeli army recently reported that more than 1,700 Hezbollah members had been killed since the beginning of March. The exact number of civilians killed is unclear.
In Lebanon, hundreds of thousands are waiting to return to their homes. According to government figures, more than a million people have been displaced due to the recent conflict. In some of the attacked areas there is widespread destruction.
Israel and Hezbollah had already waged open war against each other in 2024. Despite a ceasefire in November 2024, the situation remained tense. Both sides continually accused each other of violations. Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military continued to carry out almost daily attacks in Lebanon.
The Israeli military also remained stationed at several points in Lebanon. According to the ceasefire agreed at the time, Hezbollah was to be disarmed. Israel accused the Lebanese state of failing in its task and ultimately wanted to implement disarmament militarily. (cpf, with material from sda/dpa)