Israel and Lebanon agree to implementation of ceasefire

June 3, 2026 7:05 PM EDT

Smoke rises in Lebanon following an air strike, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, June 1, 2026. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

By Costas Pitas

June 3 (Reuters) - ‌Lebanon and Israel ​said ​on Wednesday that they had agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire following negotiations in Washington aimed at ending the ‌conflict that flared up alongside the war in Iran.

The ceasefire is ⁠contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia and the ‌evacuation of all of its ‌operatives from the South Litani Sector, according to a joint statement released with the United States.

"The two sides agreed with the guidance of ​the United States to swiftly advance the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the ⁠territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors," they said.

Israel and Lebanon had previously agreed to ​a cessation of hostilities in April that was then extended in May, but violence has continued.

Israeli drone strikes killed ​at least six people in southern Lebanon ‌and targeted a car south of Beirut on Wednesday, Lebanese security sources said. Israel said it intercepted a hostile ⁠aircraft likely fired by Hezbollah.

A U.S.-mediated agreement announced on Monday had led Israel to step back from attacking the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, and the Iran-backed ⁠group to halt cross-border strikes.

Israel invaded Lebanon in March in pursuit of Hezbollah which ​fired across the border in support of Tehran.

Iran has said it will not agree to a deal to end the conflict with the United States and Israel launched ‌in late February unless a ceasefire also covers Lebanon.

Lebanon and Israel on Wednesday agreed to further direct negotiations ‌to build confidence and resolve other outstanding issues.

The pair will reconvene to hold ⁠political and security-related talks during ‌the week of June ​22 with a view toward a comprehensive agreement, according to the statement.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Lincoln Feast and ‌Neil Fullick)



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