🌟 Breaking News: A fragile peace in the Middle East just got a potential lifeline. Former US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks, marking a significant, if tentative, step in de-escalating regional tensions.
💬 The announcement came after representatives from both sides met at the White House. Trump called the meeting "very well" on his Truth Social platform and stated the US would work with Lebanon to "help it protect itself from Hezbollah." He also promised to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House soon.
This development builds on a 10-day ceasefire that was first announced on April 16, pausing hostilities between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group. The atmosphere at the White House was notably optimistic.
🕊️ "We are going to keep going, working for peace. Let's hope we will get it as soon as possible," said Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, who described the day as "decades in the making." Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad thanked Trump for presiding over "this historic moment," adding, "I think with your help, with your support, we can make Lebanon great again."
🌐 However, the road to a lasting peace remains complex. Trump reiterated that for any broader deal with Iran to end the US war there, Tehran must stop backing proxy groups like Hezbollah. "Yeah, they'll have to cut that," Trump stated. "That's a must."
Meanwhile, other global hotspots are feeling the ripple effects. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven shipping costs through the roof, with businesses paying up to $4 million to reroute boats through the Panama Canal. In South Asia, Pakistan maintains a security lockdown as prospects for US-Iran talks appear distant. The European Union's foreign policy chief warned that any new agreement risks being "weaker" than one struck a decade ago.
From Beirut to Washington, the hope is that this extended pause in fighting can become something more permanent. The world is watching. ✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
