Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Agreement Stalls as Hezbollah Rejects US-Brokered Deal

Jun 3, 2026

A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has stalled after Hezbollah rejected the deal, calling it a "farce." The agreement required a complete halt to Hezbollah attacks and its withdrawal from south of the Litani River. Despite the deal, Israel's defense minister says military operations will continue. The truce is a key part of US efforts to secure a wider peace deal with Iran, which has made a ceasefire in Lebanon a precondition.

US-brokered ceasefire agreement

▪The ceasefire is contingent on a "complete cessation" of attacks by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
▪The agreement requires the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from Lebanese territory south of the Litani River.
▪Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire, announced in a joint statement with the U.S. on or around June 3, 2026.

Hezbollah rejection of deal

▪Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem called the plan a "farce" and stated "as long as the occupation exists, the resistance will continue."
▪A Hezbollah official said the group would not accept a ceasefire that did not begin with an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon.
▪Hezbollah, which was not a party to the US-mediated negotiations in Washington, rejected the ceasefire deal on June 4, 2026.

Israeli military operations continuation

▪Israel Katz said the agreement gives Israel the "freedom" to strike Beirut in response to attacks on Israeli communities.
▪A UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed and others were wounded by mortars that hit their position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon.
▪Despite the agreement, Israeli strikes continued in southern Lebanon on Thursday, June 4, killing at least eight people.
▪Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israeli forces would continue military operations and would not withdraw from southern Lebanon.

Lebanese army pilot zones

▪The agreement calls for creating "pilot" security zones inside Lebanon where the Lebanese army will have exclusive control.
▪The US will help guide the creation of these zones, from which all non-state actors, including Hezbollah, would be excluded.

Iran regional conflict stance

▪Iran has made a ceasefire in Lebanon a condition for any broader peace deal with the United States.
▪The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, demanded that Israel withdraw to its pre-war positions as a minimum requirement for a truce.
▪The US-brokered truce is part of the Trump administration's effort to keep peace talks with Iran on track.