Washington, D.C. (Lamaane.net) – US Department of State on Thursday, published the text of a temporary ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, announced by President Donald Trump.
The US State Department said in a statement that the agreement followed direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials on April 14, mediated by the United States, and establishes a framework for phased de-escalation and negotiations toward a broader settlement.
The statement said: "Israel and Lebanon are not in a state of war and will engage in direct negotiations in good faith, facilitated by the United States, to reach a comprehensive agreement ensuring security, stability, and lasting peace between the two countries.” It added: "The only authorized armed forces within Lebanon are the Lebanese Armed Forces and national security institutions, and no other party may claim responsibility for Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
The text outlines a ten-day initial ceasefire period beginning April 16, 2026, at 17:00 Eastern Time, with provisions for possible extension based on mutual agreement and demonstrable progress in negotiations. It also states: "Israel retains the right to take necessary measures for self-defense against imminent or ongoing threats,” while committing not to conduct offensive operations within Lebanese territory by land, air, or sea during the truce period.
Lamaane News Network notes that the agreement emerges amid continued regional tensions and renewed diplomatic efforts led by Washington to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon frontier. The framework also highlights commitments to limit activities of non-state armed groups operating within Lebanon and reinforces the role of Lebanese state institutions in maintaining security and sovereignty.
The agreement further calls for continued US-facilitated negotiations addressing unresolved issues, including border demarcation, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive settlement. Analysts say the phased structure reflects an attempt to build confidence between both sides while maintaining security guarantees that could support longer-term political dialogue.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of long-standing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where periodic escalations have raised concerns among international actors about regional stability.
US diplomatic engagement has previously focused on de-escalation mechanisms and supporting indirect communication channels between the two sides, with renewed emphasis on structured negotiations under international facilitation.
The United States is signaling a shift away from immediate crisis management toward a negotiated framework that could shape future security arrangements and border discussions between Lebanon and Israel, contingent on implementation and compliance by both parties.
The following are the provisions of the temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon as published by the US Department of State:
Following productive direct talks on April 14 between the governments of the Republic of Lebanon (hereinafter "Lebanon”) and the State of Israel (hereinafter "Israel”), brokered by the United States of America, Lebanon and Israel have reached an understanding in which both nations will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border, while preserving Israel’s inherent right to self-defense.
Both countries recognize the significant challenges faced by the Lebanese state from non-state armed groups, which undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and threaten regional stability. Both countries understand that those groups’ activities must be curtailed, such that the only forces authorized to bear arms in Lebanon will be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Internal Security Forces, Directorate of General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs and Municipal Police (hereinafter "Lebanon’s security forces”).
Israel and Lebanon affirm that the two countries are not at war and commit to engaging in good-faith direct negotiations, facilitated by the United States, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security, stability, and peace between the two countries.
To that end, the United States understands the following:
1. Israel and Lebanon will implement a cessation of hostilities beginning on April 16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, for an initial period of ten days, as a gesture of goodwill by the Government of Israel, intended to enable good-faith negotiations toward a permanent security and peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
2. This initial period may be extended by mutual agreement between Lebanon and Israel if progress is demonstrated in the negotiations and as Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty.
3. Israel shall preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. This shall not be impeded by the cessation of hostilities. Besides this, it will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, and sea.
4. From April 16, 2026, at 17:00 EST, forward, with international support, the Government of Lebanon will take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah and all other rogue non-state armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any attacks, operations, or hostile activities against Israeli targets.
5. All parties recognize Lebanon’s security forces as having exclusive responsibility for Lebanon’s sovereignty and national defense; no other country or group has claim to be the guarantor of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
6. Israel and Lebanon request that the United States facilitate further direct negotiations between the two countries with the objective of resolving all remaining issues, including demarcation of the international land boundary, with a view to concluding a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security, stability, and peace between the two countries.
The United States understands that the above commitments will be accepted by Israel and Lebanon concurrently with this announcement. These commitments are designed to create the conditions necessary for good-faith negotiations toward enduring peace and security. The United States further intends to lead international efforts to support Lebanon as a component of its broader efforts to advance stability and prosperity in the region.
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