Truce agreement between Israel and Lebanon

A major diplomatic development took place in Washington, DC, where after two days of consultations under the auspices of the US administration of President Donald Trump, Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement. According to the joint statement issued by the three sides and released by the State Department, the implementation of the ceasefire is directly linked to two key conditions: a definitive end to attacks by Hezbollah and the immediate withdrawal of all its forces from the area south of the Litani River.

The “Pilot Zones” and the Role of the Army

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As part of the talks, it was decided to immediately establish special pilot zones under the supervision of the United States. In these areas, the official Lebanese armed forces will have exclusive jurisdiction and control, which precludes the activity of any other non-state armed organization, such as the pro-Iranian Shiite movement.

These steps are considered crucial in order to lead the two sides to a permanent and universal treaty of peace and stability. At the same time, it was stressed that the course of bilateral relations between Israel and Lebanon is the sole responsibility of the two legitimate governments. In this way, any attempt by third countries or organizations -notably Iran and Hezbollah- to control or influence Lebanon’s future was clearly rejected.

The Political Background and the Upcoming Talks

On the diplomatic front, US President Donald Trump made clear his position that negotiations on the Lebanese situation should be considered completely separate from the issues concerning Iran. For its part, Tehran disagrees with this approach, arguing that it is a single war front.

The delegations’ discussions in the US capital took place on Tuesday and Wednesday amid a particularly tense atmosphere. Significantly, on the same day of the negotiations, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed nine people, including a Lebanese soldier and two rescuers.

Despite the ongoing hostilities, the two governments renewed their appointment for a new round of contacts in the week beginning June 22, with the aim of finalizing a comprehensive agreement.