Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire arrangement, with the deal contingent on Hezbollah ceasing its cross-border attacks, according to a statement issued by the United States State Department on Thursday.
The Terms of the Agreement
The US State Department confirmed that both countries have committed to the new arrangement, with American officials stressing that neither side would permit armed groups to derail Lebanon’s path toward stability. The statement made clear that the two nations reject any attempt by any state or non-state actor to hold Lebanon’s future hostage.
Under the framework, Israel agreed to hold back strikes on Beirut while continuing limited military operations in southern Lebanon. The arrangement represents a significant diplomatic development after months of escalating cross-border exchanges that have left communities on both sides of the border under constant threat.
Fragile but Significant
Despite the announcement, Israeli forces continued operations in southern Lebanon on Thursday, raising questions about the durability of the arrangement. Israeli officials said the military campaign in the south would proceed as long as Hezbollah maintained a presence near the border, characterising those operations as distinct from a broader ceasefire with the Lebanese state.
Hezbollah has not publicly confirmed its acceptance of the terms. The Iran-backed militant group has maintained that it retains the right to respond to Israeli military activity in Lebanon, a position that complicates any long-term stabilisation effort.
Regional and International Reaction
The announcement was welcomed cautiously by regional governments, who noted that previous ceasefires in the conflict have quickly broken down. European diplomats expressed measured optimism, urging all parties to allow humanitarian corridors into southern Lebanon to operate without interference.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said it would monitor compliance and report violations to the Security Council. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the agreement a step in the right direction while warning that a lasting solution would require addressing underlying political and security concerns. For ordinary Lebanese citizens who have endured months of instability and displacement, the announcement offered a tentative sense of relief.
