Israel, Lebanon agree to new US-backed ceasefire

US State Department announces new ceasefire agreement following fourth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire following two days of US-led negotiations, in a move Washington said could open the way to a broader security agreement between the two countries.

The agreement was announced in a joint statement released by the United States, Lebanon and Israel after the fourth high-level trilateral meeting between Israeli and Lebanese representatives, held on June 2 and 3.

The ceasefire is contingent on “a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire” and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector, according to the statement.

Israel and Lebanon also confirmed the agreement, Israel Hayom reported, saying the meeting ended overnight and that the sides agreed to move ahead with implementation of the ceasefire under the conditions laid out in the joint statement.

As part of the US-led negotiations, the two sides agreed to “swiftly advance” the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces would take exclusive control, excluding all non-state actors.

The countries said those steps would allow progress toward “a comprehensive peace and security agreement.”

“All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments,” the statement said. “They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage.”

Israel and Lebanon reaffirmed that they have “no hostile intent toward one another” and committed to continuing direct negotiations aimed at building confidence, resolving outstanding issues and working toward a comprehensive agreement.

The delegations also discussed a security framework building on talks held at the Pentagon on May 29. The framework is aimed at ensuring the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of both countries, including through the dismantling of non-state armed groups and preventing their re-emergence.

The statement said all parties condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region and what they described as Tehran’s ongoing activities undermining Middle East stability, including through support for proxies.

The United States said any agreement to end hostilities must be reached directly between the Israeli and Lebanese governments, brokered by Washington, and not through a separate track.

Washington also said it intends to support the Lebanese Armed Forces to improve their capacity and enable Lebanon to exercise sovereignty throughout its territory. The statement cited Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s June 2 remarks that “Hezbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon.”

Israel said its security and territorial integrity could only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantling of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon.

Lebanon, for its part, emphasized the need for mutual respect for internationally recognized borders, full implementation of the cessation of hostilities, territorial integrity and full state sovereignty. Beirut also committed to strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces, with US support, so they can assert effective control across the country.

The two sides agreed to reconvene the political and security tracks during the week of June 22, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive agreement. The United States said it would continue facilitating communication between the parties in the interim.