Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a conditional ceasefire following two days of negotiations mediated by United States officials, with the deal hinging on Hezbollah halting attacks and withdrawing its forces from south of the Litani River, according to a joint statement released on 3 June 2026.
Terms Of Ceasefire And International Mediation
The agreement follows a period of heightened hostilities marked by Hezbollah’s recent drone and missile attacks on Israel and Israeli military reprisals. According to U.S. State Department officials, President Donald Trump personally intervened to prevent planned Israeli strikes on Beirut during this escalation. The Lebanese Embassy in Washington confirmed that Hezbollah has agreed to the ceasefire conditions brokered by the United States.
The ceasefire requires Hezbollah to stop attacks and withdraw operatives from areas south of the Litani River, a zone monitored by the United Nations since 2006. Ali Hamdan, adviser to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, told U.S. officials, “Hezbollah is willing to stop attacks and ensure long-term peace if Israel reciprocates.” The joint statement issued by the governments of Israel, Lebanon and the United States stated, “These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement.” Both sides expressed a willingness to continue direct negotiations meant to address outstanding disputes and pursue lasting stability.
Regional Impact And Plans For Future Security
The agreement highlights the influential role of Hezbollah in regional security dynamics and signals ongoing international involvement in the area’s stability. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed three options for continuing military monitoring in southern Lebanon after the current United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) ends on 31 December 2026. These options, currently under consideration, range from 5,525 to 1,980 international personnel and feature a mix of armed and unarmed military observers.
The joint statement also emphasised that the future relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided solely by their respective sovereign governments, rejecting outside interference. “They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” the statement continued. The announcement has been welcomed as an important step in preventing further escalation in the Middle East, with both Israel and Lebanon confirming a desire to seek a permanent peace arrangement.
United Nations discussions regarding the post-UNIFIL security framework are set to intensify ahead of the 31 December deadline, with the outcome likely shaping long-term stability along the Israeli-Lebanese border.