Breaking: Israel and Lebanon Agree to U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire, Conditional on Hezbollah Withdrawal
Deal would place Lebanese Army in exclusive control of pilot zones south of the Litani, as Washington pushes toward broader Israel-Lebanon security agreement
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a U.S.-brokered ceasefire following two days of high-level trilateral talks convened by Washington on June 2 and 3, according to a joint statement released by the United States, Israel and Lebanon. The ceasefire is conditioned on a complete halt to Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector.
Under the agreement, the parties will move to establish “pilot zones” in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume exclusive control, excluding Hezbollah and all other non-state armed actors. The move is being presented as a first practical step toward restoring Lebanese state sovereignty in the south and reducing the likelihood of renewed cross-border escalation.
The statement marks one of the most significant diplomatic developments between Israel and Lebanon in years. Both governments reaffirmed that they have “no hostile intent” toward one another and agreed to continue direct negotiations under U.S. leadership, with the goal of resolving outstanding disputes and advancing toward a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
Washington emphasized that any cessation of hostilities must be reached directly between the Israeli and Lebanese governments and not through a separate channel with Hezbollah or any other actor. The United States also pledged continued support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, saying the goal is to strengthen their ability to exercise sovereignty throughout Lebanese territory.
In unusually direct language, the joint statement also condemned Iran’s attacks and destabilizing regional activity, including its support for proxy forces. The U.S. statement referenced Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s June 2 remarks that Hezbollah is not only an enemy of Israel and the United States, but “an enemy of Lebanon.”
Israel, for its part, reiterated that durable security along its northern border depends on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantling of its military infrastructure throughout Lebanon. Lebanon stressed the need for respect of internationally recognized borders, full implementation of the cessation of hostilities, and the preservation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The parties are expected to reconvene during the week of June 22 for renewed political and security-track discussions, with the stated aim of moving toward a comprehensive agreement.
The agreement comes after previous ceasefire understandings failed to fully stop violence along the Israel-Lebanon front. Reuters reported that earlier arrangements in April and May did not prevent continued clashes, including Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Hezbollah-linked fire across the border.
For Israel, the central test will be whether Hezbollah actually withdraws from the South Litani Sector and whether the Lebanese Army can prevent its return. For Lebanon, the agreement creates a direct challenge to Hezbollah’s long-standing military autonomy and places the question of sovereignty at the center of the next round of talks.
The diplomatic language is cautious, but the strategic meaning is clear: Washington is trying to move the Israel-Lebanon file away from militia-managed ceasefires and toward a state-to-state security framework. Whether that becomes a real turning point will depend on what happens on the ground in southern Lebanon in the coming weeks.