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Israel and Lebanon agree to renew ceasefire as Trump seeks to overcome barriers to Iran deal
TL;DR
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew a ceasefire, contingent on Hezbollah's complete cessation of fire and withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The US aims to address barriers to a broader deal with Iran.
Key points
- Israel and Lebanon agree to renew ceasefire
- Ceasefire contingent on Hezbollah's cessation of fire
- US aims to overcome barriers to Iran deal
- Pilot zones for Lebanese armed forces established
- Hezbollah rejects partial ceasefire
Mentioned in this story
HezbollahTrump administrationLebanonIsrael
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities, the Trump administration has announced, as the US looks to overcome one of the largest barriers to reaching a broader deal to end the war with Iran.
The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia and the evacuation of all its operatives from the country’s south, a joint statement released by the US state department said after negotiations in Washington.
The two sides, which do not have formal diplomatic relations, also agreed to create “pilot zones” in which the Lebanese armed forces “will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors”.
A Hezbollah official told the AFP news agency on Tuesday that the group would “not accept a partial ceasefire”, and the group has not been party to the talks.
A truce to halt the fighting in Lebanon was meant to take hold on 17 April, but hostilities continued, with both sides justifying their ongoing attacks by the other’s alleged violations.
The meetings in Washington were the fourth round of direct talks by Lebanese and Israeli diplomats since fighting erupted on 2 March, when Hezbollah renewed attacks against Israel in support of Iran.
Wednesday’s development came after continued cross-border attacks earlier in the day, with Hezbollah saying it targeted Israeli troops, and Israeli strikes killing at least nine people in southern Lebanon.
Rescuers work at the ruins of a residential building, after an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock
Earlier in the day, US president Donald Trump said he wanted to separate talks on the conflict in Lebanon and those on the war with Iran. However, Tehran insists the conflicts are linked and this week threatened to suspend peace talks with the US in protest against Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, threatening the collapse of negotiations with Washington.
Q&A
What are the conditions of the renewed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon?
The ceasefire requires Hezbollah to completely cease fire and evacuate its operatives from southern Lebanon.
How does the ceasefire impact US efforts to negotiate a deal with Iran?
The ceasefire is seen as a step to overcome significant barriers in reaching a broader agreement to end the war with Iran.
What are the 'pilot zones' mentioned in the ceasefire agreement?
The 'pilot zones' will allow the Lebanese armed forces to take exclusive control of territories, excluding all non-state actors.
What was Hezbollah's response to the ceasefire negotiations?
Hezbollah stated it would not accept a partial ceasefire and has not participated in the negotiations.
