The Israeli and Lebanese governments have agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire, contingent on Hezbollah halting attacks and withdrawing from southern Lebanon. The deal, announced Wednesday, follows weeks of deadly clashes that threatened broader US-Iran negotiations.
The agreement establishes 'pilot zones' for the Lebanese military to secure areas free of all non-state actors. A joint statement from the US, Israeli, and Lebanese governments emphasized that the future of relations between the two nations must be decided by their sovereign governments, rejecting any external interference.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has raged since early March, with Hezbollah launching rockets into northern Israel and Israeli forces taking control of parts of southern Lebanon. More than 3,000 deaths have been reported in Lebanon, with dozens of Israeli casualties, and over one million people displaced.
President Trump confirmed he called Prime Minister Netanyahu 'f***ing crazy' during a tense phone call, urging an end to hostilities. The ceasefire is tied to broader efforts to end US-Iran hostilities and resolve Iran's nuclear program.