Lebanon and Israel Agree to Ceasefire Contingent on Hezbollah Disarmament
Lebanon and Israel have agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire, according to a joint statement with the United States.
The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia, who were not present at the peace negotiations.
What's next?
Another round of peace talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place in Washington on June 22.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire and create a number of "pilot" security zones inside Lebanon, from which Hezbollah militants will be banned.
The announcement was made in a joint statement with the United States after peace talks were held in Washington, without Hezbollah present.
The two sides said the ceasefire was "contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives" from areas south of the Litani River.
"Hezbollah is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon,"
the statement said.
It was not immediately clear how the security zones would be established. However, the agreement calls for the Lebanese army to take full control of those areas.
"These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement," the statement said.
The two sides had agreed last month to a ceasefire but hostilities continued.
"All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments.
"They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon's future hostage."
The latter is a reference to Iran, which supports Hezbollah and has insisted that Israeli attacks on Lebanon be halted as part of a tentative agreement with the US to end the conflict with Iran.
Demands from both sides
During the latest round of talks, both Israel and Lebanon shared demands for lasting peace between the two nations.
Israel said it could only be comfortable with its security "through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon".
It added that further negotiations brokered by the US were required to help "resolve all outstanding issues and achieve durable peace and security".
Lebanon requested "mutual respect of internationally recognised borders" and the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities.
"Lebanon committed to enhancing the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, with U.S. support, to assert effective control throughout the country," the statement said.
The US said in the statement: "Any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached directly between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track."
The statement added the US military intended to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and aimed to improve their capacity.
A new round of discussions will be held during the week of June 22 with an eye toward "reaching a comprehensive agreement".