US outlines Lebanon–Israel agreement on hostilities cessation and peace process

The U.S. State Department issued a statement following direct talks on April 14 between the governments of Lebanon and Israel, brokered by the United States.

The statement says Lebanon and Israel have reached an understanding under which both sides will work toward creating conditions for lasting peace, mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and securing their shared border, while preserving Israel’s right to self-defense.

Both countries acknowledge challenges posed to the Lebanese state by non-state armed groups, which the statement says undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and regional stability. It says those groups’ activities must be curtailed, so that only Lebanon’s official security forces—the Lebanese Armed Forces, Internal Security Forces, Directorate of General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs, and Municipal Police—are authorized to bear arms.

Israel and Lebanon affirm they are not at war and commit to good-faith direct negotiations, facilitated by the United States, aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement ensuring lasting security, stability, and peace.

The United States outlines the following understandings:

Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities starting April 16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, for an initial period of ten days. This is described as a goodwill gesture by Israel to enable negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement. The period may be extended by mutual agreement if progress is made and if Lebanon demonstrates effective steps to assert its sovereignty.

Israel will retain the right to act in self-defense at any time against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. This right will not be affected by the cessation of hostilities. At the same time, Israel will not conduct offensive military operations against targets in Lebanon, including civilian, military, or other state targets, by land, air, or sea.

From April 16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, Lebanon will take steps, with international support, to prevent Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups in its territory from carrying out attacks or hostile activities against Israeli targets.

Both sides recognize that Lebanon’s security forces have exclusive responsibility for national sovereignty and defense, and that no other country or group has the role of guarantor of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

The two countries request that the United States facilitate further direct negotiations to resolve remaining issues, including the demarcation of the international land border, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive peace agreement ensuring lasting security and stability.

The United States says these commitments will be accepted by both sides at the same time as the announcement, and that they are intended to create conditions for further negotiations toward enduring peace. It adds that it will lead international efforts to support Lebanon as part of broader regional stability and prosperity efforts.