Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to implement a ceasefire following US-led negotiations in Washington, according to a joint statement issued by the United States, Israel, and Lebanon after a fourth high-level trilateral meeting held on June 2-3.
The agreement aims to end months of fighting in Lebanon and lays the groundwork for further negotiations toward a broader peace and security arrangement between Israel and Lebanon.
The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector.
As part of the agreement, Israel and Lebanon agreed to swiftly establish pilot security zones in southern Lebanon. Under the arrangement, the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume exclusive control of these areas, excluding all non-state actors.
Officials said the measures are intended to create conditions for progress toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
The ceasefire follows months of conflict that intensified after Israel launched a military operation in Lebanon in March targeting Hezbollah. The group had been carrying out cross-border attacks in support of Iran.
A previous ceasefire agreement reached last month failed to halt hostilities, but the latest negotiations resulted in renewed commitments to enforce a lasting truce.
Hezbollah is not participating in the ongoing Israel-Lebanon negotiations.
Israel and Lebanon reiterated that they bear each other no ill will and agreed to pursue direct negotiations to establish trust, settle unresolved issues, and strive for a comprehensive pact between the two nations.
The delegations also discussed a security framework designed to ensure the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of both Lebanon and Israel. The framework includes efforts to dismantle non-state armed groups and prevent their re-emergence.
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