Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire, contingent upon a complete cessation of fire by Hezbollah and the withdrawal of its operatives from southern Lebanon. The agreement was reached during US-brokered talks in Washington, D.C., which concluded on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

This development aims to de-escalate the ongoing conflict that has seen intensified fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, with significant cross-border attacks and Israeli bombardments. The two nations, lacking formal diplomatic relations, have engaged in multiple rounds of direct talks facilitated by the United States.

According to a joint statement released after the negotiations, the ceasefire agreement also includes the establishment of "pilot zones" where the Lebanese armed forces will assume exclusive control, excluding all non-state actors. This move is intended to strengthen state authority in border regions.

The ceasefire is not entirely new, as Al Jazeera’s Manuel Rapalo reported from Washington, D.C., explaining it represents an assertion of respect for a ceasefire initially agreed upon in May, which was a 45-day extension of a prior arrangement. The current agreement emphasizes the need for Hezbollah’s full compliance.

Despite the agreement, cross-border hostilities persisted on Wednesday. Hezbollah claimed to have targeted Israeli soldiers, while Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon reportedly resulted in at least 10 fatalities. Shortly after the announcement, air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel due to a "suspicious aerial target."

A significant factor in the ongoing conflict is Hezbollah's non-participation in the US-brokered talks. This absence leaves questions about the enforceability and implementation of any potential framework, as Rapalo noted, making Hezbollah a "wild card."

The Washington meetings marked the fourth round of direct discussions between Lebanese and Israeli diplomats since the escalation of fighting on March 2. This escalation followed Hezbollah's renewed attacks against Israel, which were launched in support of Iran and led to intensified Israeli military responses, including a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

Both delegations are scheduled to reconvene for further talks the week of June 22, with the stated objective of reaching a comprehensive agreement. The United States, through its State Department Chief of Staff Daniel Holler and Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, played a key role in facilitating these discussions, alongside Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh.