Trump's week in review: Strait of Hormuz, Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, Jesus meme backlash

4. Trump announces Israel-Lebanon ceasefire 

In a Truth Social post Thursday, Trump announced that the leaders of Lebanon and Israel had agreed to implement a 10-day ceasefire effective at 5 p.m. ET. Trump credited the diplomatic efforts of his administration for securing the ceasefire, noting that “On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.”  

Concerns about ongoing violence in Lebanon, stemming from Israel’s airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, had emerged following the implementation of a ceasefire last week between Israel and Iran. Trump specifically addressed Hezbollah in a subsequent Truth Social post Thursday, saying, “I hope Hezbollah acts nicely and well during this important period of time. It will be [a] GREAT moment for them if they do. No more killing. Must finally have PEACE!”

The U.S. State Department elaborated on the terms of the ceasefire in a statement on Thursday. The Lebanese government agreed to “take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all other rogue non-state armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any attacks, operations, or hostile activities against Israeli targets.”

The stated purpose of the ceasefire is to have a lasting peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”

While the agreement enables Israel to “take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks,” Trump stressed in a Truth Social post Friday that “Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer” because his administration has prohibited it.