WASHINGTON (TNND) — Israel and Lebanon said they agree to renew a fragile ceasefire on Wednesday. The ceasefire will create Lebanese security zones that will exclude Hezbollah.
The countries released a joint statement following a fourth round of mediated talks by the U.S. State Department. The statement said the ceasefire “is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives.”
It was not immediately clear how the security zones would be established.
Ceasefire renewal comes after President Donald Trump sounded off on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after strikes in Lebanon and President Donald Trump remained noncommittal to a timeline for ending the war.
During an interview with The New York Post’s Miranda Devine, Trump said, “that’s good” if Americans are confused about a timeline to end the war.
“That’s good. That’s good. If they’re confused, then the Iranians are confused, too,” Trump said. “It’s just the way I am. It changes. I mean, I could leave here, I could give you an answer and then in 20 minutes go into the Oval Office and say, ‘How are things going?’ And I would realize my answer is now incorrect, OK?”
Trump also confirmed a fiery phone call with Netanyahu.
Axios first reported that Trump said, “You’re f-cking crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
While taking questions in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump did not commit to a timeline for ending the Iran War. He said the Strait of Hormuz might stay blocked through Labor Day.
I don’t know. I mean, I think it could be (closed through Labor Day), but I think it’s unlikely. I think that we’ll have it. I think this will resolve itself fairly quickly,” Trump said.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has killed 3,468 people in Lebanon and displaced 1.2 million people. At least 27 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have been killed in or near southern Lebanon. Two civilians have also been killed in northern Israel.
Many displaced residents of southern Lebanon stay in villages near the hostilities or return to areas where strikes occurred after evacuation warnings.
Editor’s Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.