Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire following US-mediated talks in Washington, though the deal remains dependent on specific conditions being met. According to a joint statement, the ceasefire is âcontingent on a complete cessationâ of fire by Hezbollah and the withdrawal of its fighters from southern Lebanon.
As part of the agreement, both sides also approved the establishment of âpilot zonesâ where the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume full control, excluding the presence of any non-state groups.
The announcement came despite continued hostilities along the border. Earlier on Wednesday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Israeli troops, while Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least 10 people in southern Lebanon. Later, air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel after authorities detected a âsuspicious aerial targetâ, though no casualties were reported.
The latest discussions marked the fourth round of direct negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli officials since fighting resumed on March 2, when Hezbollah restarted attacks on Israel in support of Iran. Further talks are scheduled for the week of June 22 âwith a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreementâ.
Fighting Continues Despite Diplomatic Progress
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that negotiations regarding Lebanon should be separated from discussions surrounding the conflict with Iran. However, Tehran maintains that the issues are interconnected. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any assault on Beirut would trigger a âfull-scale resumptionâ of war.
The Israeli military reported intercepting a âhostile aircraftâ and two projectiles launched from Lebanon. Hezbollah, meanwhile, said that âin response to the Israeli enemy armyâs violation of the ceasefireâ, it carried out rocket attacks against Israeli soldiers in northern Israel.
In separate statements issued early Thursday, Hezbollah said it launched a âsalvo of rocketsâ at Israeli forces and vehicles in Al-Qantara, southern Lebanon, and also struck an Israeli command site near Chqif Castle using two drones.
A ceasefire intended to end the conflict had been scheduled to begin on April 17 but has repeatedly failed, with both sides accusing each other of violating its terms. Senior Hezbollah official Mahmud Qomati had previously stated that the group would ânot accept a partial ceasefireâ.
Casualties Reported in Southern Lebanon
Israeli strikes continued across southern Lebanon on Wednesday. Lebanonâs state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that one strike hit a vehicle on the main highway leading out of Beirut, while more than 20 locations in the south were also targeted after Israeli evacuation warnings were issued to residents.
According to Lebanonâs health ministry, an Israeli strike in Al-Hawsh near Tyre killed four Syrian nationals and two Palestinians. Another attack reportedly struck an ambulance, killing two paramedics from the Risala Scouts Association.
Images released by the ministry showed a heavily damaged ambulance with medical equipment scattered across the road. A third paramedic was later killed in a separate strike targeting an ambulance crew linked to the Islamic Health Committee in Zibdine, according to the NNA.
Since the conflict began, at least 130 emergency responders and healthcare workers have lost their lives.
Lebanonâs army also reported the death of one soldier in an Israeli strike, while an officer and another soldier were injured in a separate attack on a military vehicle. The military condemned what it described as Israelâs âdeliberate targeting of army personnel, vehicles and positionsâ.
