Lebanon, Israel agree on 'pilot zones' placing army in control

Lebanon and Israel on Wednesday agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire and establish "pilot zones" placing the Lebanese Armed Forces in exclusive territorial control to the exclusion of all non-state actors, according to a joint statement released after the fourth round of US-mediated talks at the State Department.

The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector, the statement said. The parties agreed to reconvene political and security tracks the week of June 22 with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement.

Security framework

The two countries reaffirmed they have "no hostile intent toward one another" and discussed a security framework which includes the dismantlement of non-state armed groups and the prevention of their re-emergence, the statement noted. The joint statement also condemned Iran's attacks on countries in the region and its destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East, including support for proxy groups and other aggressive acts.

Regional context

The US-sponsored talks follow weeks of near-daily Israeli strikes on Lebanon that have killed nearly 3,500 people since March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was later extended until early July. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently ordered troops to deepen the incursion and called for strikes on Beirut, though he was restrained after a tense phone exchange with US President Donald Trump, according to media reports.