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Ten-Day Cessation of Hostilities to Enable Peace Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon
(U.S. State Department) The governments of Israel and Lebanon agreed to the following text: "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....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." "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....The Government of Lebanon will take meaningful steps to prevent Hizbullah 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."