US President Donald Trump has declared that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10‑day ceasefire, set to begin at 17:00 EST (22:00 BST). In his statement, Trump said he had spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but made no mention of Hezbollah — the Iran‑backed militant group that has been at the center of recent cross‑border clashes.
“These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote, adding that he had tasked Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan ‘Razin’ Caine, with overseeing efforts toward a “Lasting PEACE.”
Trump also claimed credit for resolving “9 Wars across the World,” calling this ceasefire his “10th.”
Despite the announcement, verified footage shared overnight shows fresh destruction near Tebnine Government Hospital in southern Lebanon. The facility had already been damaged earlier this week after an Israeli strike hit a nearby building. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said at the time it was targeting “military infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terror organisation,” while expressing regret for civilian harm.
New clips show fires and secondary explosions around the hospital, raising concerns about the safety of medical staff and patients. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that 11 health workers were injured in strikes on 12 and 14 April, with critical emergency equipment damaged. The IDF has repeated its earlier statement but offered no further clarification.
President Joseph Aoun’s office confirmed his call with Trump, thanking him for “efforts to secure lasting peace and stability.” Aoun reiterated his push for a ceasefire specifically between Israel and Hezbollah “at the earliest possible time,” highlighting the gap between Trump’s announcement and realities on the ground.
Meanwhile, Lebanese state media reported that Israeli forces destroyed the Qasmiyeh bridge, which connects Tyre and Sidon, killing one person and injuring two. The strike has effectively isolated the southern Litani region from northern Lebanon. The Lebanese army accused Israel of attempting to “separate and isolate” the south, while Israel has previously justified targeting bridges as a way to disrupt Hezbollah’s use of state infrastructure.
Trump’s announcement marks a symbolic breakthrough, but the omission of Hezbollah — the central actor in the ongoing conflict — raises questions about the durability of the ceasefire. On the ground, strikes continue to damage civilian infrastructure, leaving hospitals, bridges, and communities caught between political declarations and military realities.
