Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement on the implementation of a ceasefire, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. State Department following negotiations in Washington. The arrangement builds on a partial ceasefire announced on June 1, under which Israel committed to refraining from strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs in exchange for Hezbollah halting attacks on Israel.
The new agreement is contingent on a complete cessation of fire by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia and requires the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the area south of the Litani River, known as the South Litani Sector. Lebanon’s army is expected to assume control of designated zones in the south as part of efforts to reassert state authority.
The deal was reached after two days of U.S.-mediated talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations at the State Department on June 2 and 3. Further direct negotiations are planned to address confidence-building measures and other outstanding issues.
Wednesday’s developments follow an initial 10-day cessation of hostilities that took effect on April 16, 2026, and was extended multiple times, most recently for 45 days on May 15. Those earlier truces had been undermined by continued exchanges of fire
The current fighting stems from March 2026, when Israel launched an invasion of southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks launched in support of Iran during the broader U.S.-Iran conflict.
If fully implemented, the ceasefire would halt active combat operations along the Israel-Lebanon border. This could enable the return of displaced populations — hundreds of thousands of civilians have been affected on both sides since March — and reduce the immediate risk of escalation.
It would also support Lebanese government efforts to deploy regular army units in border areas and limit the presence of non-state armed groups south of the Litani River, consistent with long-standing security arrangements. Israeli officials have maintained the country’s right to self-defense against imminent threats, while Lebanese authorities have emphasized the need for full Israeli withdrawal from southern positions
BREAKING: Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement on the implementation of a ceasefire, according to two sources familiar with the negotiations.
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The Lebanon situation has emerged as a notable factor in broader U.S.-Iran negotiations. Following regional escalations linked to the 2026 Iran conflict, Tehran has linked progress on its own ceasefire and nuclear-related talks with Washington to developments in Lebanon.
Earlier this week, Iran indicated that it would be ceasing peace discussions with the United States until an agreement was reached in the Lebanon conflict. President Donald Trump has disputed these reports and stated that discussions have continued, though he has conceded that he is frustrated with the Israeli government’s handling of the Lebanon conflict.
