The department also said that the ceasefire “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.” Lebanon’s government has long struggled to rein in Hezbollah.
“Israel shall preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time,” the State Department added.
Prior to agreeing to the ceasefire, Israeli and Lebanese officials met in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday for “working-level peace talks,” seeking to end the Israeli military campaign in Lebanon.
Following the meeting, both Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., and the State Department struck a positive tone in describing the talks.
Leiter told reporters that Lebanon must “completely” cut associations with Tehran and Hezbollah.
“We discovered today that we’re on the same side of the equation. That’s the most positive thing we could have come away with,” the ambassador said. “We are both united in liberating Lebanon from an occupation power dominated by Iran called Hezbollah.”
