Shafaqna Pakistan: Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to implement a ceasefire following US-mediated talks in Washington, but said the arrangement would depend on a “complete cessation” of hostilities by the Hezbollah.
According to a joint statement, the two sides — which do not maintain formal diplomatic relations — also agreed to establish “pilot zones” where the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume exclusive control, with no role for non-state armed groups.
The agreement was reached despite continued cross-border hostilities earlier in the day. Hezbollah said it had targeted Israeli troops, while Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon.
The statement said the ceasefire would be contingent upon a complete halt to Hezbollah attacks, as well as the withdrawal of the group’s operatives from southern Lebanon.
The Washington meetings marked the fourth round of direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives since fighting erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah resumed attacks against Israel in support of Iran.
Both sides will meet for more talks the week of June 22, the statement said, “with a view toward reaching a comprehensive agreement”.
Hostilities continue
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said he wanted to separate talks on the conflict in Lebanon and those on the war with Iran.
Tehran, however, insists the conflicts are linked and its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any attack on Beirut would trigger a “full-scale resumption” of war.
The Israeli military said it intercepted a “hostile aircraft” and two projectiles that crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon on Wednesday.
Hezbollah, for its part, said that “in response to the Israeli enemy army´s violation of the ceasefire”, its fighters targeted soldiers in northern Israel with a rocket barrage.
A truce to halt the fighting in Lebanon was meant to take hold on April 17, but has never been observed, with both sides justifying their ongoing attacks by the other´s alleged violations.
Senior Hezbollah official Mahmud Qomati had told AFP on Tuesday that the group would “not accept a partial ceasefire”.
Source: The News
