10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire begins amid ongoing conflict
A 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect at midnight local time on April 16-17, 2026.
The truce was announced by US President Donald Trump following direct talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ceasefire aims to halt hostilities that have severely affected southern Lebanon and border areas amid a wider regional conflict involving Iran.
It began at 21:00 GMT on April 16 and is intended to provide a temporary pause in fighting.
The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than one million people.
Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah positions, while Hezbollah has launched rocket attacks into Israel.
Celebratory gunfire and rocket fire were reported in parts of Beirut as the ceasefire took effect, though Israeli artillery reportedly continued shelling southern Lebanon for about 30 minutes after midnight.
The Israeli military urged residents not to move south of the Litani River, citing ongoing Hezbollah activity.
Residents in Beirut expressed skepticism about the ceasefire's durability and whether Israel would fully adhere to the agreement.
Many displaced Lebanese remain wary of returning to their homes, with some citing destroyed infrastructure and ongoing security concerns.
US President Trump expressed optimism about the ceasefire and broader diplomatic efforts, stating that a deal with Iran could be close.
He highlighted that Iran had offered to forgo nuclear weapons for over 20 years, a key point in recent talks.
The ceasefire is significant as it represents a rare diplomatic engagement between Israel and Lebanon, two countries with decades of tension.
Trump indicated plans for a possible face-to-face meeting between Netanyahu and Aoun in Washington in the coming days.
