President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks, adding that he looks forward to hosting the leaders of both nations at his Palm Beach estate in the future.
The statement came during a briefing with reporters at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump confirmed that the extension had been agreed upon following recent talks between U.S., Israeli, and Lebanese officials. He did not specify the exact date of the original ceasefire’s expiration or the new endpoint, but emphasized that the extension was necessary to allow further negotiations toward a lasting resolution.
Trump said he had spoken directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in recent days, describing both conversations as “productive” and “constructive.” He added that he intends to invite both leaders to Florida for talks once the extended ceasefire period concludes, though no formal invitations have been sent as of yet.
The current ceasefire, which halted cross-border exchanges between the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah, went into effect on November 27, 2024, following U.S.-led diplomacy. It was initially set to last 60 days, with provisions for extension based on compliance and progress in negotiations over the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces in the area.
U.S. Officials familiar with the talks said the extension aims to create space for continued discussions on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, the prevention of weapons smuggling, and the full extension of Lebanese government authority south of the Litani River.
Israeli military officials have maintained that operations in southern Lebanon will remain paused during the extension, but warned that any violation by Hezbollah would prompt an immediate response. Lebanese officials, meanwhile, have reiterated their commitment to upholding the ceasefire and called on international partners to ensure Israel completes its withdrawal as outlined in the agreement.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that its patrols along the Blue Line continue without interruption and that no breaches of the ceasefire have been reported since the extension was announced. UNIFIL spokespersons declined to comment on the specifics of the extension but affirmed their role in monitoring compliance.
When asked about the possibility of a permanent settlement, Trump said he hopes the extended period will lead to “a real and lasting peace,” but offered no details on what such an outcome would entail. He reiterated his belief that personal diplomacy — particularly face-to-face meetings — can break stalemates that formal channels have failed to resolve.
No official statements have been issued by the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem or the Presidential Palace in Baabda regarding Trump’s invitation to host the leaders at Mar-a-Lago. Diplomatic channels in both countries said they are reviewing the proposal but have not confirmed acceptance or scheduling.
