Israeli ambassador warns Lebanon ceasefire offers no immunity to Hezbollah

Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, issued a stern warning following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, stating that the truce does not provide immunity to the militant group Hezbollah. Leiter, who led Israel's delegation in the talks, emphasized that any belief by Hezbollah that the agreement grants them protection is a mistake.

The ceasefire, agreed upon by delegations from Israel and Lebanon in Washington, is contingent on Hezbollah ceasing its attacks against Israeli territory and halting operations in southern Lebanon. The agreement outlines a plan to create "pilot zones" within Lebanon that would be under the control of the Lebanese Army, specifically excluding the Islamist group. Both sides are scheduled to reconvene in Washington on June 22.

Leiter reiterated on X that the ceasefire is entirely dependent on a complete cessation of attacks against Israel and the full dismantling of Hezbollah and its "terrorist infrastructure." The negotiations, which marked the fourth round of peace talks this year, were held at the U.S. State Department and involved Ambassador Leiter for Israel and Nada Hamadeh for Lebanon.

Previous rounds of talks have focused on progressively approving and extending a ceasefire. However, these efforts have been undermined by ongoing attacks, with Israel intensifying its operations in Lebanon in response to what it describes as projectile launches by Hezbollah.