Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country has a “historic” opportunity to reach a peace agreement with Lebanon, as a 10-day ceasefire is set to take effect at midnight.

In a prerecorded statement, Netanyahu said recent developments had opened the door to what he described as a rare diplomatic moment, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to invite him and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House to advance negotiations.

“We have an opportunity to reach a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” Netanyahu said.

He said the initiative followed what he described as a shift in the regional balance of power after Israeli operations against Hezbollah, including the 2024 pager attack targeting hundreds of operatives, the degradation of the group’s missile arsenal, and the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

Netanyahu added that Israel had recently received requests from Lebanon for direct talks for the first time in more than four decades, saying: “I answered that call.”

He said Israel had agreed to a “temporary 10-day ceasefire” to facilitate negotiations but stressed that Israel’s core positions remain unchanged, including what he called the “disarmament of Hezbollah” and a “peace through strength” approach.

He said Israel had rejected Hezbollah’s ceasefire conditions, which he described as calls for a full Israeli withdrawal to the international border and a “quiet for quiet” arrangement, though he said the group ultimately agreed to a truce.

Netanyahu also confirmed Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon.

“We are remaining in Lebanon in an expanded security zone… 10 kilometers wide, much stronger, more powerful, more continuous, and more solid than what we had before,” he said, adding that the deployment was intended to prevent infiltration and anti-tank attacks on northern communities.

He acknowledged that Hezbollah still retains some military capacity, saying: “There are still rockets that they have left. We will also need to address that as part of progress toward a security agreement and a lasting peace agreement.”

Turning to broader regional dynamics, Netanyahu said discussions with Trump over the past two days indicated the U.S. president was “strongly determined” to continue efforts against Iran, including maintaining pressure on its naval operations and dismantling what remains of its nuclear capabilities. He said such steps could “fundamentally change our security and diplomatic situation for years to come.”

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu told members of his security cabinet he agreed to the ceasefire at Trump’s request and opposed calls for a formal vote on the agreement. 

“When Israel’s greatest friend, President Trump, is acting alongside us in close coordination, Israel cooperates with him,” he was quoted as saying by Ynet.

The meeting, held after ministers reportedly expressed anger at learning of the ceasefire through media reports, was conducted via personal phones rather than secure communication lines, Channel 12 reported. Netanyahu is said to have pledged a later formal discussion with the security cabinet.

Moreover, An Israeli official told Ynet that troops would remain deployed deep inside southern Lebanon and would respond to any threat, describing the arrangement as similar to previous ceasefire understandings in which Israel continued limited military action.

“As in Gaza and as in Lebanon before Operation Roaring Lion, we will act not only against danger but also against an emerging threat and strike it immediately,” the official said.

The official added that if Lebanon does not take “practical action” against Hezbollah during the 10-day period, Israel would act “with great force immediately afterward.”

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said the presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese soil would give Lebanon “the right to resist,” warning against any arrangement that allows Israel operational freedom inside the country.

Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri urged residents of southern border towns to delay returning home until the situation becomes clearer, in line with what he described as ceasefire understandings.

In northern Israel, several municipal leaders sharply criticized the deal, accusing the government of abandoning residents living near the Lebanese border.