DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will come into effect from midnight Lebanese time, potentially solving a key stumbling block in the ongoing US-Iran truce.

The war in Lebanon began in early March, days after the United States and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on February 28, provoking a retaliation from Lebanese Hezbollah.

Since then, Israel has launched a ground offensive into its northern neighbor and ravaged Beirut with airstrikes, killing almost 2,200 people since March 2, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The continuation of the Israeli campaign in spite of a US-Iran ceasefire has led to international protest, with Iran, as well as European countries, demanding that Lebanon be included.

"I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi [Benjamin] Netanyahu, of Israel. These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. I have directed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, together with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin' Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a Lasting PEACE."

In a separate post soon after, Trump added that he will invite Aoun and Netanyahu to the White House for what he termed "the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983."

Earlier in the day, Aoun also held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reiterated Washington’s support for Lebanon.

Rubio confirmed that the United States will continue its efforts to reach a ceasefire, describing it as a step toward restoring peace, security, and stability in the country, while expressing appreciation for Aoun’s positions, the presidency said.

Lebanon and Israel earlier this week agreed, with US mediation led by Rubio, to hold a new round of direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and place, following talks in Washington described by the United States as a “historic milestone.”

Lebanon stressed the need to fully implement the 2024 cessation of hostilities and called for a ceasefire alongside steps to address the humanitarian crisis.

Rubio said progress would take time, describing a longer process to end Hezbollah’s influence, and accused Iran of fueling instability.

However, Hezbollah rejected any direct negotiations with Israel, warning they could deepen internal divisions.

The United States voiced support for Lebanon’s efforts to restore state control over weapons and reduce Iran-backed Hezbollah’s influence, while reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself against the group’s attacks.