Israel and Lebanon Agree Ceasefire in US‑Mediated Deal

The U.S. State Department announced that Israel and Lebanon have reached a cease‑fire agreement brokered by Washington. The joint statement said the parties consented to an immediate halt to hostilities and will continue negotiations, with the next round scheduled for 22 June. Under the accord, Hezbollah’s armed activities in southern Lebanon are to be halted and designated pilot zones will be placed under Lebanese army control, while the group is expected to withdraw its fighters from the area.

The deal comes amid heightened regional tension after Iranian‑linked drone strikes injured dozens at Kuwait’s airport and prompted U.S. operations near the Strait of Hormuz. Those attacks had briefly pushed oil prices up about 2 percent. Iranian officials have linked any broader settlement to the full cessation of Hezbollah’s cross‑border actions. The cease‑fire aims to reduce the risk of a wider Iran‑Israel confrontation and stabilize the southern Levant.

U.S. officials, citing remarks by President Donald Trump, said the agreement reflects positive talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will help curb further escalations in the region.