Israel, Lebanon Extend Ceasefire as Trump Seeks “Best Deal”

Israel and Lebanon decided on April 24 to extend their ceasefire by three weeks as U.S. efforts to secure a broader deal with Iran remain constrained by maritime tensions and unresolved battlefield dynamics.

The extension, brokered at the White House, follows earlier agreements on April 8 and April 16, but fighting has continued in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces conducted strikes that killed three Hezbollah militants, while Hezbollah launched rockets and a drone at Israeli positions and northern Israel.

The week included one of the deadliest phases since the truce began, with Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil among those killed.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was in no rush and wanted an “everlasting” agreement, stating, “Don’t rush me.” He maintained that the United States holds the upper hand in the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing Iranian vessels as “little wise-guy ships.”

At the same time, he ordered U.S. forces to “shoot and kill” Iranian boats laying mines and warned that Washington could neutralize Iranian military rebuilding within a day. He also ruled out nuclear weapons, saying they were unnecessary.

Despite the ceasefire extension, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked. Iran’s recent seizure of two large cargo ships and use of small, fast boats highlights evolving tactics to challenge U.S. naval enforcement.

Roughly one-fifth of global oil flows through the strait, and markets reacted accordingly, with Brent crude rising more than 1% and U.S. crude also gaining 1% on April 24.

The conflict, now in its eighth week since Feb. 28, has exposed divisions within NATO, with U.S. officials considering measures against allies reluctant to support operations. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei rejected claims of internal disarray, calling them “the enemy’s media operations.”

Separately, CNN reported that the U.S. military is preparing contingency plans to strike Iranian defenses around the strait, including small attack boats, mine-laying vessels, missiles, and drones, if the ceasefire collapses.

Israel has indicated readiness to expand operations, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning of potential escalation, while Lebanon continues efforts to manage Hezbollah’s role within the conflict framework.