‘Historic Peace Push’: Netanyahu Accepts Truce, Says Israeli Troops Will Stay Deployed In Lebanon

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that Tel Aviv has agreed to a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon, calling it an “opportunity to forge a historic peace agreement” between the two sides.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said that the temporary ceasefire is aimed at advancing peace efforts, but insisted that the disarmament of militant group Hezbollah remained a precondition. He also made it clear that Israeli forces would remain in a 10-kilometre security zone inside southern Lebanon during the truce.

“We have an opportunity to forge a historic peace agreement with Lebanon. President @realDonaldTrump intends to invite me and the President of Lebanon in order to try to advance this agreement,” he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening:

“We have an opportunity to forge a historic peace agreement with Lebanon. President @realDonaldTrump intends to invite me and the President of Lebanon in order to try to advance this agreement.

1/13 pic.twitter.com/lYMjAzm2Je

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 16, 2026

He also highlighted Israel’s military achievements against Hezbollah since the war first broke out in October 2023.

“This balance has shifted to such an extent that in the past month we have begun receiving calls from Lebanon to hold direct peace talks — something that had not happened for over 40 years,” he said.

He added that Israel maintained two conditions for the ceasefire: Hezbollah’s disarmament, and a lasting peace agreement “based on strength”.

The premier said he rejected the two conditions posed by Hezbollah: Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and a ceasefire based on the principle of “quiet in return for quiet.”

Israel has staged a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, where its forces have been engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area.

Hezbollah added that “Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold,” a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Netanyahu said Israeli troops will stay in an expanded security zone in southern Lebanon “much stronger, more extensive and more continuous than before.” “That is where we are, and we are not leaving,” he said.

Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group inside Lebanon.

Hezbollah said in a statement that “any ceasefire must be comprehensive across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.” Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a truce that could boost attempts to extend the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.

US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at 21:00 GMT on Thursday, following a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who thanked him for efforts to “secure lasting peace and stability”.

(With inputs from agencies)