Trump Extends Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire by 3 Weeks

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended for three weeks following a second meeting at the White House between Israeli and Lebanese delegations, marking a significant step in the diplomatic efforts to sustain the fragile truce that had been set to expire on Monday. The initial 10-day ceasefire had gone into effect last Friday after the first direct diplomatic talks between the two countries in decades, with the latest extension representing a victory for Washington's mediation efforts. Trump said the talks went "very well" and that the United States will work with Lebanon to help it protect itself from Hezbollah, which was not represented at the negotiating table and has voiced opposition to the talks, asserting its "right to resist" occupying forces. The president also revealed plans to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the coming weeks to further the peace process, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about achieving "permanent peace" between the two nations. However, the broader regional situation remains volatile, with US-Iran tensions escalating significantly as Trump ordered the US Navy to "shoot and kill" any Iranian vessels deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage carrying roughly 20 percent of the world's oil. The Pentagon has warned that clearing all mines from the strait could take up to six months, with oil prices rising above $106 per barrel amid fears of renewed military escalation. Israel, meanwhile, indicated it is prepared to resume war against Iran, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating that IDF targets remain marked and forces are awaiting US authorization. In a tragic development, Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon while taking shelter with a colleague in a house that was hit after an initial strike targeted a nearby vehicle. Lebanese officials said Israeli forces opened fire on an ambulance responding to the scene, preventing rescuers from reaching the victims for several hours. Lebanon's prime minister condemned the incident as a war crime, while the Israeli military denied deliberately targeting journalists or rescuers and said it is reviewing the matter. The development highlights ongoing risks to civilians and media workers even during declared ceasefires, as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues to cast a shadow over efforts to establish lasting peace in the region.