The President of Lebanon called the Washington agreement with Israel the last chance for a ceasefire

The ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel could officially take effect within 24 hours after it is finally approved by all parties involved and the necessary security guarantees are provided. 

This was announced by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during a press conference at the presidential palace in Baabda. 

This refers to a compromise security agreement reached the day before following a difficult fourth round of negotiations in Washington under the direct mediation of the United States. The new plan calls for the resumption of a ceasefire and the creation of special “pilot security zones” in southern Lebanon (specifically in the areas of the villages of Yahmar, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Zawtar al-Gharbiya, and around the strategic Beaufort Castle near the city of Nabatieh). Control over these territories is to be assumed solely by the Lebanese regular army, completely displacing any other non-state armed groups from there.

The head of state noted that Lebanon will officially convey its final consolidated position to the White House immediately after receiving responses from all domestic political forces. The position of the Iranian-backed Shiite group Hezbollah remains the key factor for success and, at the same time, the greatest challenge. Its leadership is currently demonstrating a destructive approach, refusing direct contact with the Israeli side and continuing attacks on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions in the south of the country. The Israeli Air Force, for its part, also continues to carry out retaliatory strikes.

Joseph Aoun emphasized that it is the United States that must legally define the exact mechanism and start date of the ceasefire, and that U.S. President Donald Trump will serve as a “direct guarantor” of compliance with the agreement. The Lebanese president separately emphasized that the final document contains extremely important provisions in favor of Lebanese sovereignty, so this initiative is effectively the last chance to stop the bloodshed, and if the agreements are violated, each party will bear personal historical responsibility.

This was reported by the Lebanese bureau of Al Arabiya TV.

On Thursday, June 4, global oil prices fell following reports of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.