Israel and Lebanon said on Wednesday that they had agreed to implement a ceasefire after negotiations in Washington aimed at ending the conflict that has flared alongside the war in Iran.
The joint statement said the deal was contingent on a complete cessation of fire by Hezbollah and the evacuation of its operatives from areas south of the Litani River, while the two sides also agreed to advance “pilot” zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces would take exclusive control.
The statement also set out further political and security talks for the week of June 22.
Also Read | Did Trump doze off in meetings? Rubio rejects claim in heated House hearing
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a “complete cessation” of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a joint statement after US-led talks.https://t.co/XAVIi62xQa
— SBS News (@SBSNews) June 4, 2026
Not quite the settled affair it seemed
Hezbollah quickly rejected the arrangement.
CBS News reported that the group’s leader called the deal “false” and an “illusion.” Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem demanded a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
The group said it would continue fighting as long as Lebanese villages were bombed, deepening uncertainty over whether the latest truce plan can actually take hold without Hezbollah’s consent.
Lebanon can have peace if you allow Israel to eliminate IRGC mercenaries Hezbollah and you finish the job in Iran!pic.twitter.com/1e6LTTTZGb
— Luke George (@MrLukeGeorge) June 4, 2026
Courtesies continue, progress does not
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Wednesday that “no tangible progress” had been made in negotiations to end the wider conflict, though he said communication with the U.S. remained open.
Araghchi warned that any Israeli strike on Beirut would trigger a “full-scale resumption” of the war and said messages were still being exchanged even if there was no formal negotiation process.
Iran had said it would not agree to a deal with the US and Israel unless a ceasefire also covered Lebanon.
Also Read | Kim Jong Un unveils new nuclear facility, vows rapid expansion of arsenal
The guns pay little heed to diplomacy
The fragile diplomacy was unfolding against continued violence on the ground.
Israeli drone strikes killed at least six people in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, while Hezbollah’s rejection came as Israeli strikes killed at least four people in Lebanon and a UN peacekeeper was killed in the crossfire.
Lebanese official media had cited Israeli strikes in the south hours after the ceasefire announcement, underscoring how quickly the truce effort was being overtaken by events.
