Israel-Lebanon 10-day ceasefire: Will it hold?

This episode of InFocus by The Hindu examines the fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, announced by President Trump and effective from April 16, 2026. Despite the truce, Israeli military operations continue in southern Lebanon, particularly around the strategically and symbolically significant town of Bint Jabil, where Hezbollah remains a resilient force. The ceasefire emerged from high-stakes talks in Washington, D.C., led by U.S. Secretary of State Marthor Rubio, but Lebanon’s inclusion in the original U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal remains contested—Israel unilaterally excluded it, leading to ongoing bombardment. The humanitarian toll is severe: over 2,100 killed, 1 million displaced, and critical infrastructure like hospitals and Red Cross facilities damaged. Public sentiment in Lebanon is deeply divided, with some seeking state sovereignty over Hezbollah’s dominance, while others view disarmament talks under bombardment as capitulation. The episode explores the broader geopolitical stakes, including Israel’s 'Greater Israel' ambitions, the U.S. push to separate Lebanon from Hezbollah, and the Lebanese army’s limited capacity to enforce disarmament without external support. Ultimately, the talks are less a peace breakthrough than a high-risk gamble to reshape Lebanon’s internal power balance while Israel maintains military pressure.