Israel and Lebanon agree to ceasefire, conditioned on Hezbollah withdrawal south of Litani River

The agreement

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a full ceasefire, according to a joint statement released by the United States, Israel and Lebanon after two days of talks at the State Department in Washington. The truce is contingent on a complete cessation of fire by Hezbollah and the evacuation of all operatives of the Shia militia from the area south of the Litani River.

The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from areas south of the Litani River.

Pilot zones

Both sides agreed, under US guidance, to move quickly to establish pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume exclusive control of the territory, excluding all non-state actors. The joint communiqué specified that these test areas would be set up rapidly, with only the Lebanese army exercising authority on the ground.

Next steps

Direct talks between the two sides are scheduled to resume in the week of June 22, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement. The fourth round of US-mediated negotiations produced the breakthrough, though it remains unclear whether Hezbollah will accept the terms agreed upon by Israel and the Lebanese government. Hezbollah had previously indicated it would agree to a full ceasefire.

Regional context

Earlier on Wednesday, the US military carried out strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the action as a response to attempted attacks by Iran. In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards said they fired at Kuwait's international airport, killing one person and injuring at least 63 others. Iran has been insisting that hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon must end before a deal can be reached with the US.

Talks with Iran are going very well.

Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are progressing and a deal could be sealed over the weekend. Iran, however, stated that no tangible progress has been made in the discussions with Washington.