Israel and Lebanon have reached a conditional agreement to implement a ceasefire, dependent on a complete halt in hostilities by Iran-backed Hezbollah.

 This was contained in a joint statement released following US-led talks in Washington on Wednesday, US Time. Both nations also agreed to establish pilot zones in southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese Armed Forces will maintain exclusive control, excluding all non-state actors.

 The agreement comes amid ongoing hostilities between both sides. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, Hezbollah reported targeting Israeli troops, while Israeli strikes killed at least 10 people in southern Lebanon, including four Syrians, two Palestinians, and three paramedics.

Hours after the ceasefire announcement, air raid sirens sounded across northern Israel after authorities identified a suspicious aerial target, though no casualties were reported.

The Israeli military said it intercepted a hostile aircraft and two projectiles launched from Lebanon.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for firing rockets and deploying drones against Israeli positions in southern Lebanon, including areas near Chqif Castle and the town of Al-Qantara, describing the attacks as a response to alleged Israeli violations.

The Washington talks marked the fourth round of direct diplomacy since March 2, when Hezbollah resumed attacks on Israel in support of Iran.