The State Department announced Wednesday that US-led negotiations between Israel and Lebanon have yielded a cease-fire agreement.
The deal requires Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists – who were not part of negotiations – to stop attacking Israel and withdraw from southern Lebanon.
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“The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of Hizbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hizbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector,” read a joint statement from the US, Lebanon and Israel.
“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,” the statement continued.
“These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement.”
The breakthrough comes after two days of talks in Washington between Israel and Lebanon.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that a deal was coming in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier Wednesday.
“As I speak to you now … leaders of the legitimate government of Lebanon and leaders from the government of Israel are seated at the State Department for the second day in a row,” Rubio said.
“And hopefully today will produce a joint statement and an action plan on a track for security in that country, independent from Hezbollah, independent from nefarious influence,” he added.
The two parties agreed to meet again during the week of June 22 to continue talks with the goal of reaching a comprehensive peace treaty. The US will once again mediate those negotiations.
The cease-fire was announced two days after Axios reported that President Trump lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over strikes in Lebanon.
“What the f–k are you doing? You’re f–king crazy,” Trump raged at Netanyahu during a tense phone call, which the president confirmed during an appearance on “Pod Force One.”
“I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon,” Trump said.
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have imperiled US-Iran peace talks due to Tehran’s insistence that the Israeli targeting of Hezbollah end before a deal is reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and then dismantle Iran’s nuclear program.
Israel launched airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon in March after Hezbollah fired rockets at the Jewish state in response to the military operations against Iran.
