A ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Lebanon with US backing, aimed at halting hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran. The arrangement is positioned as a pathway toward broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran. However, it allows Israeli forces to remain stationed in parts of southern Lebanon.
What the Agreement Includes
According to Reuters, the agreement, announced by the US State Department, establishes a “cessation of hostilities” effective from 16 April at 21:00 GMT for an initial 10-day period. This timeframe is intended to facilitate the launch of formal peace negotiations.
Security and Sovereignty Measures
The agreement requires the Lebanese government, with international backing, to take concrete steps to prevent Hezbollah and other groups from launching attacks on Israeli targets.
It also affirms that Lebanon’s official security forces hold exclusive responsibility for national sovereignty and defence, reflecting ongoing efforts since 2025 to disarm Hezbollah.
At the same time, Israel retains the right to take all necessary defensive measures against any planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.
Military Activity Restrictions
The agreement states that Israel will refrain from conducting offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and government sites, across land, air, and sea.
The initial ten day period may be extended by mutual agreement, contingent on progress in negotiations and Lebanon’s ability to effectively assert state authority.
What the Agreement Does Not Address
The agreement does not require Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue operations, including the destruction of infrastructure and villages. This area, located south of the Litani River, represents approximately eight percent of Lebanese territory.
Israeli military officials have stated that forces are positioned up to ten kilometres inside Lebanon as part of a so called buffer zone, intended to prevent attacks by Hezbollah.
Imbalance in Defensive Rights
While Israel is explicitly granted the right to act defensively against threats, the agreement does not extend equivalent provisions to Lebanon. This contrasts with the 2024 ceasefire framework, which recognised the inherent right of both parties to self defence under international law.
Hezbollah Disarmament and Civilian Displacement
Although the agreement identifies six Lebanese state security agencies authorised to carry weapons, it does not explicitly mandate the disarmament of Hezbollah, despite this being a key Israeli demand.
Hezbollah has rejected calls to disarm, framing its arsenal as a component of national defence against Israeli actions.
The agreement also fails to address the situation of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians displaced from areas south of the Litani River, some of whom have already begun returning.
Hezbollah’s Position
Hezbollah ceased fire against Israeli targets upon the agreement taking effect, but stopped short of formally endorsing the deal.
The group stated that any ceasefire must not grant Israel unrestricted movement within Lebanese territory, and that continued Israeli military presence justifies the right to resistance.
Lessons from the 2024 Ceasefire
Following the escalation triggered by Israel’s war on Gaza, Israel and Lebanon reached an open ended truce in November 2024 through US mediation. That agreement required Lebanon to restrict the possession of weapons to state forces and to confiscate unauthorised arms.
In June 2025, the United States proposed a roadmap calling for the full disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from five occupied positions in southern Lebanon and a halt to airstrikes.
Hezbollah and its ally Nabih Berri rejected this sequencing, insisting that Israel must first withdraw and cease attacks before any discussion of disarmament.
Despite the 2024 agreement, Israeli forces continued conducting strikes on what they described as Hezbollah positions. Médecins Sans Frontières reported that these operations resulted in at least 370 deaths in Lebanon.
Parallel Ceasefire in Gaza
In Gaza, Israel and Hamas reached a US mediated ceasefire agreement in October aimed at halting fighting and enabling humanitarian aid delivery.
A subsequent US proposal outlined disarmament of Hamas in exchange for Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction of the heavily damaged territory. However, key elements of this plan remain unresolved.
Israeli forces have continued operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 750 Palestinians since the ceasefire. Israel claims these actions are intended to prevent attacks by Hamas and other groups, although verifiable evidence is rarely presented.
At least four Israeli soldiers have been killed by armed fighters in Gaza since October.
Strategic Outlook: Will the Ceasefire Hold?
The current ceasefire framework is structurally fragile. It combines temporary de escalation with unresolved core disputes, including territorial presence, disarmament, and asymmetrical enforcement mechanisms.
Without alignment on these foundational issues, the agreement risks functioning as a short term pause rather than a sustainable resolution.
