U.S. Middle East Diplomacy

A U.S.-brokered three-week extension of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah announced April 23 came under immediate strain as Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah rocket fire flared in southern Lebanon and northern Israel on April 25-27. PBS News reported the extension, and later accounts show fighting resumed despite the pact.

President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, set to begin April 16, 2026, after U.S.-hosted talks in Washington. Trump said the truce would start Thursday at 5 p.m. Eastern and credited conversations with Israeli and Lebanese leaders. The U.S. State Department published ceasefire text saying Israel would not carry out offensive operations by land, air, or sea in Lebanon. That text also expressly reserved Israel's right to self-defense against "planned, imminent, or ongoing" attacks and asked the United States to facilitate further negotiations.