Israel, Lebanon agree ceasefire after US-led talks
The agreement requires Hezbollah to cease fire and withdraw from south Lebanon, with Lebanese army forces taking control of the area. Talks were brokered by the United States amid heightened regional tensions.
Jun 4th 2026 · Israel
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire following US-led talks, with representatives from all three countries meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday to negotiate a pause in fighting that has escalated significantly in recent days. The joint statement announcing the ceasefire said it is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector, with both sides agreeing to quickly advance the creation of "pilot zones" where the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Health Ministry reports that 3,516 people have been killed by Israeli attacks on the country since March. The ceasefire agreement comes amid broader regional tensions involving Iran. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no progress has been made in talks with the United States, though channels of communication remain open, and he defended Tehran's attacks on US allies in the Gulf region as "self-defence," warning that "what sanctions and war failed to achieve won't be won with more war." US President Donald Trump has privately told aides he would consider ending the ceasefire with Iran if Tehran kills American troops, though reports suggest he remains reluctant to reignite a full-scale war and may be willing to withstand smaller flare-ups to avoid broader conflict. On the diplomatic front, Trump confirmed he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy" during an expletive-filled phone exchange, reportedly telling him: "You're f------ crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now." The exchange occurred while the US was trying to negotiate an end to hostilities with both Lebanon and Iran. Additionally, an Indian national was killed and 63 others were wounded after Kuwait's main airport was struck with drones, which Kuwait's defence ministry said destroyed over a dozen missiles and drones launched from Iran, forcing the closure of the airfield.