Israel and Lebanon agree to ceasefire

Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement on a ceasefire, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. State Department. The announcement came after negotiations held in Washington D.C., signaling a potential de-escalation of hostilities.

The ceasefire has been in place since April, but fighting has continued almost daily between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. The U.S. State Department previously announced an extension of the existing ceasefire by 45 days on May 15. It remains unclear whether Wednesday's announcement signifies a further extension or an entirely new agreement.

Under the terms of the new accord, both nations are scheduled to meet in the week leading up to June 22. The State Department indicated that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to establish "pilot zones." Within these designated areas, Lebanese soldiers will take full control and exclude all non-state actors. The specific locations for these zones have not yet been disclosed.

According to Reuters, the ceasefire is contingent upon Hezbollah completely ceasing its shelling and withdrawing all its members from the area south of the Litani River. Israeli forces have recently advanced further into Lebanon than they have in over a quarter-century, controlling a significant area from the border to the Litani River, with recent troop movements extending further north.