Israel and Lebanon Agree to Renew Ceasefire, Establish Security Zones

Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday agreed to renew a ceasefire and establish a number of pilot security zones inside Lebanon from which Hezbollah militants would be barred. The agreement was announced in a joint statement after a fourth round of US-mediated talks at the State Department. The two sides said the ceasefire was contingent on a complete halt to Hezbollah fire and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah operatives from areas south of the Litani River. Details on how the security zones would be implemented were not immediately clear. Under the agreement, however, the Lebanese army would assume full control of those areas. “These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” the statement said. The statement also stressed that the future of relations between Israel and Lebanon must be determined by their sovereign governments, rejecting attempts by any state or non-state actor to influence Lebanon's future. The remark appeared to be directed at Iran, which backs Hezbollah and has argued that Israeli strikes on Lebanon must end as part of a broader understanding with the US over the regional conflict. Hezbollah was not participating in the Israel-Lebanon talks.