Trump announces 10-day ceasefire involving Lebanon, Israel; Netanyahu: 'Hezbollah much disarm'

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire involving Israel and Lebanon starting at 5 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.

Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have been fighting since the start of the U.S./Israeli war against Iran. The two rivals have been battling in the Holy Land for decades.

Trump said in a social media post Thursday that he had conversations about the ceasefire with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump said.

Hezbollah has given tacit approval to the ceasefire, saying it will abide by it if Israel halts its attacks, according to report

Still, there is skepticism in Israel to whether Hezbollah will abide by the ceasefire.

Netanyahu said Thursday the ceasefire offers a “historic opening" for a peace deal in Lebanon.

He said "Hezbollah must disarm" and Israel wants a security buffer zone in southern Lebanon to protect northern Israel from attacks. Netanyahu said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire.

Iran has also pushed for a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of a wider ceasefire and peace talks with the U.S. in the wider Middle East war.

The moves come as the U.S. chokes Iranian trade and oil flows via a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Trump-order blockade also looks to open up international oil flows previously curtailed by Iran in the Persian Gulf strait.

Trump said he also wants to convene an Israel-Lebanon summit.

"I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House... Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly,” Trump said in a social media post.

Trump also touted the ceasefire as another war and conflict that he is solving since returning to office last year.

“It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let's, GET IT DONE!,” Trump said in a social media announcement.

There has been fighting between Israel and militants in Lebanon, including Iran-backed Hezbollah for decades. Israel has been hammering Hezbollah and the Islamic militant group has been targeting northern Israel with rocket and drone attacks.

Israel wants Hezbollah to be decapitated, disarmed and lose its funding from Iran.

European countries have also been pressing for a ceasefire in Lebanon. They are not supportive of the U.S./Israel war against Iran or Israel’s attacks against Hezbollah.

Trump and Netanyahu contend the Iran war is necessary to keep Iran from developing and using nuclear weapons, including against Israel.  A ceasefire in Lebanon could help bring Iran back to the bargaining table with the U.S., regarding terms to end the wider war.