TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their ceasefire following US-mediated talks, raising hopes for a reduction in cross-border hostilities that have intensified in recent weeks despite an earlier truce.
The agreement was reached on Wednesday during negotiations facilitated by the United States. Under the renewed arrangement, both countries agreed to establish pilot security zones in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah fighters are expected to withdraw from designated areas south of the Litani River.
As reported by DW, Israel and Lebanon said in a joint statement that the ceasefire depends on the complete cessation of Hezbollah attacks and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the designated areas. The security zones are expected to be controlled by the Lebanese Armed Forces, although details regarding their implementation have yet to be clarified.
“These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” the joint statement said.
The renewed ceasefire comes after weeks of continued exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah despite an earlier truce reached in April. Lebanese authorities say more than 3,300 people have been killed and over 10,000 injured since fighting resumed in March between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.
The agreement also carries broader regional implications as diplomatic efforts continue between the United States and Iran. Tehran has repeatedly insisted that any agreement involving Washington and Israel must also include an end to hostilities in Lebanon.
However, Hezbollah was not directly involved in the latest negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. The joint statement emphasized that the future relationship between the two countries should be determined solely by their respective governments.
“All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments,” the statement said, adding that attempts by state or non-state actors to influence Lebanon's future were rejected.
The ceasefire announcement came amid renewed tensions involving Iran and the United States. Earlier on Wednesday, the US military carried out strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the operation as a response to attempted attacks by Iran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later claimed responsibility for an attack targeting Kuwait International Airport, which reportedly killed one person and injured at least 63 others.
Despite the escalation, US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were progressing positively and suggested that a deal could be reached over the weekend. Iranian officials, however, maintained that no significant breakthrough had been achieved.
Israel and Lebanon also reaffirmed that they have no hostile intentions toward each other and committed to continuing direct talks aimed at building confidence, resolving outstanding disputes, and working toward a broader peace agreement.
The two sides are scheduled to resume negotiations on June 22 as efforts continue to stabilize the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border.
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