Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a new ceasefire framework aimed at reducing hostilities along their border, according to a statement issued by the US State Department and reported by the BBC.
The agreement is contingent on a complete cessation of attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group and the evacuation of Hezbollah operatives from areas between the Litani River and the Israeli border. The United States said it would assist in establishing pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces would exercise exclusive control.
The announcement came after renewed violence on Wednesday, when Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon while Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, testing a fragile truce reached earlier this week.
According to the BBC, the two sides are scheduled to meet again on June 22 for further talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement. Hezbollah had not publicly commented on the latest ceasefire announcement at the time of reporting.
The BBC reported that more than 3,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict escalated earlier this year, while over one million people have been displaced. Israel says 26 soldiers and four civilians have been killed during the fighting.
