Washington/Beirut/Tel Aviv,, 17 April (H.S.): Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, announced U.S. President Donald Trump Thursday. Effective 5 p.m. ET (2:30 a.m. IST Friday), it follows Trump's direct talks with Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

Strategic Coordination and White House Summit

Trump tasked VP JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Cane with aiding permanent peace. He invited both leaders to the White House. Hezbollah, Iran's proxy, has clashed intensely with Israel.

Lebanese President Aoun thanked Trump for advancing regional stability. Netanyahu assured security cabinet troops stay in strategic zones sans formal vote: Trump is our friend; Israel stands with him fully. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu for reneging promises.

Hezbollah MP Ibrahim al-Moussawi affirmed compliance if Israel halts attacks, crediting Iranian pressure akin to Hormuz Strait threats. PM Nawaf Salam hailed the truce, congratulating citizens and global leaders.

Army spokesperson Charles Jbour urged using the pause for Hezbollah disarmament.

France's Élysée Palace and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the development as positive.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar