Trump says Israel, Hezbollah to stop fighting: What we know

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Hezbollah have reached an agreement to cease hostilities, a claim made through his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump stated he engaged in discussions with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, via "highly placed representatives," with Hezbollah itself.

According to Trump's post, Hezbollah agreed to halt all shooting, with Israel pledging not to attack them and vice versa. This announcement is notable as no U.S. president has previously communicated with Hezbollah, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization. Lebanon's embassy in Washington indicated that the proposal involves Hezbollah stopping attacks on Israel in return for Israel halting strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs. Trump also mentioned Netanyahu's agreement to withdraw Israeli troops preparing to attack Beirut.

However, Prime Minister Netanyahu separately stated that while he discussed the matter with Trump, Israel would continue its plans to strike Beirut if Hezbollah launches further attacks. The situation remains tense, with Iran having previously warned that Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Gaza threaten U.S. ceasefire talks. Hezbollah began firing on northern Israel after initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran in late February, despite a November 2024 ceasefire. Israel currently occupies about one-fifth of Lebanon, with attacks since March 2 resulting in over 3,412 deaths and 10,269 injuries, displacing over a million people.

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I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop – that Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.