Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to implement a ceasefire, but stated it would require a 'complete cessation' of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a joint statement following US-led negotiations in Washington.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
The two sides, which do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, also agreed to establish 'pilot zones' where the Lebanese armed forces 'will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors'. The joint statement emphasized that the ceasefire was 'contingent on a complete cessation' of fire by Hezbollah and the evacuation of the group's operatives from southern Lebanon.
Ongoing Hostilities
The development came despite continued cross-border attacks earlier in the day. Hezbollah reported targeting Israeli troops, while Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon. The meetings in Washington marked the fourth round of direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli diplomats since fighting erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah renewed attacks against Israel in support of Iran.
Future Negotiations
Both sides will convene for more talks the week of June 22, the statement said, 'with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement'. However, Israel's hard-Right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir immediately denounced the ceasefire, calling it a 'grave mistake'.
Continued Violence
On Thursday morning, hours after the announcement, Lebanese official media reported Israeli drone strikes along roads at several locations in the south, causing casualties. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to separate talks on the Lebanon conflict from those regarding the war with Iran. Tehran insists the conflicts are linked, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning that any attack on Beirut would trigger a 'full-scale resumption' of war.
Violations and Responses
The Israeli military reported intercepting a 'hostile aircraft' and two projectiles from Lebanon on Wednesday. Hezbollah claimed it targeted Israeli soldiers in northern Israel with a rocket barrage 'in response to the Israeli enemy army's violation of the ceasefire'. A truce intended for April 17 has never been observed, with both sides justifying ongoing attacks by alleging violations by the other.
Casualties and Attacks
Israeli strikes on Wednesday included an attack on a car on the main highway out of Beirut, as reported by Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). Strikes hit more than 20 locations in the south, with Israel warning residents of several villages to evacuate. The health ministry reported that an attack on Al-Hawsh near Tyre killed four Syrians and two Palestinians, though an Israeli military spokesperson denied awareness of such an attack.
An Israeli strike elsewhere in the south targeted an ambulance, killing two paramedics from the Risala Scouts Association, affiliated with Hezbollah's ally Amal. The ministry circulated images of a badly damaged ambulance. At least 130 emergency and health workers have been killed since the fighting began.
Army Casualties
Lebanon's army reported a soldier killed in an Israeli strike, with an officer and a soldier wounded in a separate attack on a military vehicle. The force denounced Israel's 'deliberate targeting of army personnel, vehicles and positions'.
Local Reactions
On Tuesday, Israel's military alleged Hezbollah members were operating in Tyre's Christian quarter and warned residents to leave. An AFP correspondent noted relative calm in Tyre on Wednesday morning, with some people leaving the area. A petition calling for Tyre to be declared an 'open city' free of armed presence has garnered over 180 signatures, though signatories have faced social media attacks. More than 200 people have signed a similar petition for Nabatieh. Israel has recently escalated attacks, staging its deepest ground offensive into Lebanon in two decades.
