Israel and Lebanon agree to implement ceasefire

Lebanon and Israel have agreed to implement a ceasefire, according to a joint statement with the U.S. the State Department released Wednesday following negotiations in Washington.

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The ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia and the evacuation of all its operatives from the South Litani Sector, according to the statement. The two sides had agreed last month to a ceasefire, but hostilities had continued.

Israel invaded Lebanon in March in pursuit of Hezbollah, which fired across the border in support of Tehran.

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Iran has said it will not agree to a deal to end the conflict, which the U.S. and Israel launched in late February unless a ceasefire also covers Lebanon.

Lebanon and Israel agreed to further direct negotiations to build confidence and resolve other outstanding issues, the statement said Wednesday.

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