JERUSALEM / BEIRUT - In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire framework following intense, U.S.-led trilateral negotiations held over the last 48 hours.
The agreement, brokered during the fourth high-level summit between the nations on June 2 and 3, establishes a conditional halt to hostilities. However, the truce remains strictly dependent on a total cessation of fire from Hizbollah and the complete evacuation of its operatives from the South Litani Sector.
Steps Toward Sovereign Security Zones
Under the guidance of Washington, both nations have agreed to fast-track the creation of dedicated pilot zones. Within these areas, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will assume exclusive territorial control, deliberately shutting out all non-state actors.
This move is intended to lay the groundwork for a broader, comprehensive peace and security treaty. Representatives from all three participating countries firmly asserted that the future relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be determined solely by their respective sovereign governments, explicitly rejecting any attempts by outside states or militant factions to hold Lebanon's future hostage.
Building Trust on the Border
Both delegations formally stated they hold no hostile intent toward one another. Building upon preliminary security talks held at the Pentagon on May 29, the parties discussed a sustainable long-term framework designed to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations. A central pillar of this strategy involves permanently dismantling non-state armed groups and preventing them from re-emerging.
The joint session also saw sharp rebukes directed at regional interference, with all parties condemning Iran's regional missile strikes and ongoing efforts to destabilise the Middle East through proxy warfare and direct aggression.
Differing Perspectives, Shared Goals
While a path forward has been established, both sides highlighted their core national priorities within the text:
The United States pledged continuous, direct backing for both administrations. U.S. officials reiterated that any lasting peace must be negotiated strictly between the two sovereign governments under American mediation, rather than through secondary channels. Washington also committed to reinforcing the LAF's operational capacity, echoing a warning from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Hizbollah remains a direct threat to the stability of Lebanon itself.
Israel maintained that its long-term border security and territorial integrity can only be guaranteed if Hizbollah is completely disarmed and its infrastructure dismantled throughout Lebanon.
Lebanon emphasised the critical need for absolute respect regarding internationally recognized borders. Lebanese officials stressed the urgency of a total cessation of hostilities while committing to scaling up the LAF's presence to assert true state control over its lands with American assistance.
What Happens Next?
The breakthrough marks a significant shift toward regional stabilisation, but the real work begins with implementation. Both delegations have agreed to pause direct talks temporarily before officially reconvening their political and security teams during the week of June 22 to draft a comprehensive, permanent treaty.
In the interim, the United States will remain actively engaged, serving as the primary communications bridge between Jerusalem and Beirut.
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