What’s in the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire deal

InternationalWhat's in the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire dealBy Reuters -Apr 17, 2026Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire in fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, a deal meant to enable broader U.S.-Iran negotiations but one that will see Israeli forces maintain positions deep inside southern Lebanon. WHAT DOES THE DEAL SAY? Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a “cessation of hostilities” on April 16 at 2100 GMT for an initial period of 10 days ​to enable peace negotiations between the two countries, according to a text of the deal released by the State Department. The deal says Lebanon’s government, with international ‌support, would take “meaningful steps” to prevent Hezbollah and other groups from carrying out attacks against Israeli targets. It also says that Israel and Lebanon recognise the country’s security forces “as having exclusive responsibility for Lebanon’s sovereignty and national defense”, a reference to a bid by the government since 2025 to disarm Hezbollah. Under the agreement, “Israel shall preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.” Beyond this, “Israel 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,” the deal ​says. The 10-day period can be extended by mutual agreement as talks progress and depending on whether “Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty”, ⁠it adds, in another reference to Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah. WHAT DOES THE DEAL LEAVE UNADDRESSED? The deal does not require Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have been destroying villages ​and infrastructure after ordering residents south of the Litani River to flee. The area makes up about 8% of Lebanese territory. Israeli defence officials say troops are holding positio...