Israel and Lebanon have agreed to revive a fragile ceasefire framework that includes the creation of proposed “pilot” security zones inside Lebanese territory where Hezbollah operatives would be excluded, according to a joint statement issued by the United States following US-mediated talks in Washington.
The agreement, reached during a fourth round of diplomatic discussions, is aimed at easing escalating tensions along the Israel–Lebanon border and laying the groundwork for broader negotiations between both countries.
Under the proposed arrangement, the deal is conditional on a complete halt to attacks by Hezbollah and the withdrawal of its fighters from areas between the Israeli border and the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometres north of the frontier.
The United States also said it would support efforts to establish pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume full control, effectively removing all non-state armed actors from those areas.
The three parties involved further stressed that they oppose any efforts by state or non-state groups to undermine Lebanon’s future or use it as leverage in wider regional conflicts.
While the statement did not provide maps or operational details of the proposed zones, officials confirmed that further talks are scheduled for June 22 in a bid to reach a more comprehensive agreement.
The latest diplomatic push follows an earlier partial ceasefire that briefly reduced tensions, under which Lebanon said Israel would halt strikes on Beirut in exchange for Hezbollah stopping attacks on northern Israel. However, that arrangement quickly faltered as hostilities resumed on the ground.
Lebanese authorities reported renewed Israeli airstrikes across southern regions, with multiple casualties recorded. The health ministry said several foreign nationals were killed in a strike near Tyre, while emergency workers were also among the dead following an attack on an ambulance in the Chehour area.
Lebanon accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law, particularly in attacks targeting medical personnel, and reported that more than 120 paramedics and healthcare workers have been killed over the past three months.
The Lebanese army also confirmed casualties among its soldiers following separate Israeli strikes, describing a pattern of attacks on military personnel and equipment.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it intercepted aerial threats and projectiles launched from Lebanese territory, with Hezbollah later confirming rocket fire in response to Israeli actions.
Hezbollah has, however, distanced itself from the US-backed negotiations, dismissing the talks as irrelevant and rejecting their legitimacy.
Israeli officials have also criticised the proposed arrangement, warning that it could strengthen Hezbollah rather than contain it.
The conflict has escalated significantly since earlier exchanges of rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes triggered wider military operations across the border region, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement in Lebanon.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States, both sides continue to accuse each other of violations, raising doubts about the durability of any potential ceasefire agreement.