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Israel and Lebanon will begin a 10-day ceasefire at 5 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) on Thursday to allow negotiations on a permanent security and peace agreement, the U.S. State Department announced. The truce, which can be extended by mutual consent, aims to create conditions for talks after Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon emerged as a major obstacle to a broader peace deal sought by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war on Iran he launched with Israel in late February. That conflict has disrupted the global energy trade, driven up oil prices and raised concerns over wider economic fallout. Lebanon will move to prevent Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups on its territory from carrying out attacks against Israel once the ceasefire takes effect, according to the text of the agreement released by the U.S. State Department. The accord states that Lebanon’s security forces have exclusive responsibility for the country’s sovereignty and national defense, and that no other country or group can claim to guarantee Lebanon’s sovereignty. Israel may take necessary measures in self-defense against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks but has agreed not to conduct offensive operations in Lebanon during the 10-day period, while both countries pursue U.S.-facilitated direct talks, including on demarcating their international land border, and affirm that they are not at war.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.