“Behave Nicely”: Trump issues direct warning to Hezbollah as ceasefire begins

President Trump has implemented a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, warning that further bombing must stop while he facilitates historic peace talks between the two nations in Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump has successfully brokered a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which officially took effect at 5:00 P.M. EST on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The breakthrough followed what Trump described as “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump issued a stern warning that Israel is prohibited from “bombing Lebanon any longer,” declaring that the regional violence must end to make way for a permanent diplomatic solution.

Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the agreement, noting that it was accepted at Trump’s request and provides an opportunity to advance an “integrated diplomatic and military solution.” While the ceasefire terms prohibit offensive military actions, Israel has maintained that it reserves the right to act in self-defense against “planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” Netanyahu also emphasized that Israel would maintain a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) “security zone” along the border in southern Lebanon to ensure the safety of its northern residents.

The temporary truce is viewed by the White House as a critical stepping stone toward a broader regional de-escalation, including ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Trump has already invited both Netanyahu and Aoun to Washington D.C. for what would be the first direct summit between the two nations’ leaders in decades. While the ceasefire remains fragile with early reports of intermittent shelling in southern villages the Trump administration has directed high-level officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to work toward securing a “lasting peace.”

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