Israel, Lebanon agree to renew ceasefire
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Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday agreed to renew a ceasefire and continue negotiations for a broader peace agreement amid tensions in West Asia, the two countries said in a joint statement issued with the United States.
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The agreement is contingent upon a “complete cessation of fire” by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Leiter said.
The militant group is not part of the Lebanese government and is not a participant in the negotiations.
After Washington and Tel Aviv attacked Iran on February 28 and killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel in retaliation on March 2.
While a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in Lebanon on April 17, attacks had continued, which strained the agreement.
The joint statement on Wednesday came after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an “expletive-laden” phone call on Monday after Tel Aviv announced plans to expand its military operation in Lebanon, Axios reported.
Tehran has warned that it would suspend its dialogue with the US if the Israeli military operation in Lebanon continued.
The statement issued on Wednesday said that the countries have agreed to establish “pilot zones” in which the Lebanese Armed Forces would take “exclusive control” of the territory, excluding all non-state actors.
The statement came after the fourth round of high-level talks between Israeli and...