Israel and Lebanon agreed to a cease-fire under U.S. mediation, Reuters and the Associated Press reported on the 3rd local time.

Yehiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the U.S.; Daniel Holler, U.S. State Department chief of staff; Michel Issa, Lebanon's ambassador to the U.S.; and Nada Hamade attend a U.S.-hosted Israel–Lebanon delegation meeting at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on the 3rd. /Courtesy of AFP

The U.S. State Department issued a joint statement shortly after related talks held in Washington, D.C., that day, saying the two countries agreed to a cease-fire. Under the agreement, the pro-Iran armed faction Hezbollah will halt all attacks and withdraw its fighters from areas south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. The Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon border, is a strategic stronghold that has long been identified as a major base for Hezbollah activity.

The United States and the mediators said in a joint statement that "this step will enable progress toward a more comprehensive peace and security agreement," and "reaffirmed that the future relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be determined by the two sovereign governments." They also emphasized that "no state or nonstate actor will be allowed to hold Lebanon's future hostage."

The Associated Press interpreted the phrasing as effectively a message aimed at Iran. Iran has supported Hezbollah and, during the process of talks to end the war with the United States, has demanded that Israel stop airstrikes on Lebanon.

The recent situation in Lebanon has been cited as one of the biggest obstacles to U.S.-Iran negotiations. With the cease-fire deal reached, some observers say the stalled talks between the two countries could see a measure of relief.

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.