June 4, 2026, 6:38 amJune 4, 2026, 6:38 am
According to the US State Department, Israel and Lebanon have agreed on a way to implement the ceasefire, which has so far had little effect. This is how the temporary break in the war is supposed to work – an overview.
Hezbollah must stop attacks
The ceasefire is dependent, among other things, on a complete cessation of attacks by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia against Israel, it said in a joint statement after talks between Israeli and Lebanese government representatives in the US capital Washington.
Smoke after an Israeli attack in Lebanon: Now the situation should stabilize.Image: keystone
In the current conflict, Israel and the Shiite militia are facing each other. The Lebanese government is not itself a warring party – and has only limited influence on Hezbollah.
Security zones planned
The joint declaration provides for the establishment of so-called pilot zones in Lebanon, in which only the regular Lebanese armed forces should exercise control. Hezbollah should withdraw from areas south of the Litani River – i.e. from the area near the border with Israel.
How these security zones will be set up is still unclear. “These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” the statement said.
Time frame unclear
No information was initially given as to whether the new commitment to the ceasefire was a temporary extension. The ceasefire had previously been extended for a limited period of time.
Israeli troops on the border with Lebanon.Image: keystone
The future of relations between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two governments themselves, it said. Any attempt by “state or non-state actors” to “take Lebanon’s future hostage” will be rejected. This appeared to be a clear reference to Iran supporting Hezbollah. During negotiations with the USA on a framework agreement to end the Iran war, Tehran is also calling for an end to the Lebanon conflict. Hezbollah is not part of the Israeli-Lebanese talks.
War continued despite ceasefire
Israel and Hezbollah were already in open conflict as a result of the Gaza War. A ceasefire concluded in November 2024 was already extremely fragile back then. Israel continued to attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and accused the Shiite militia of re-arming itself in violation of the ceasefire agreement. In the wake of the Iran war that Israel and the USA began at the end of February, Hezbollah also began firing rockets towards Israel again. There was another escalation.
Historical conversations
In mid-April, a ceasefire was announced for the first time as part of talks between Israel and Lebanon. It has since been extended several times. In reality, however, the war between Israel and Hezbollah continued. Hezbollah continued its shelling of Israel, as did Israel its sometimes massive attacks on Hezbollah positions, especially in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military also pushed further into Lebanon.
Lebanon and Israel held political-level talks for the first time since 1983.Image: keystone
Lebanon and Israel do not have diplomatic relations and have never signed a peace agreement. Since April, Israeli and Lebanese government officials have spoken directly to each other at a political level for the first time since 1983. This is currently the fourth round of talks. (dab/sda/dpa)