ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement following US-led negotiations, the countries announced in a joint Wednesday statement. The deal requires the “complete cessation” of hostilities and the withdrawal of Hezbollah from southern Lebanon.

“As a result of US-led negotiations, Israel and Lebanon agreed to the implementation of a ceasefire,” the statement said, adding that the deal is contingent on the “complete cessation” of attacks and “the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector.”

The deal comes hours after nine individuals were reported killed in Lebanon, including two paramedics, as a result of Israeli strikes near the capital, Beirut. Meanwhile, Israel claimed it had intercepted aircraft launched from Lebanon into the country’s territory.

In addition, the two countries agreed “with the guidance of the United States” to establish “pilot zones” in which “the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors.”

The countries also affirmed that the relations between them must be decided by the “two sovereign governments,” and rejected intervention attempts “by any state or non-state actor.”

The deal aims to pave the way for a “comprehensive agreement” once the two sides resolve outstanding issues and engage in further dialogue.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah, with the planned Israeli attack on Beirut having been called off and both sides agreeing to stop attacking each other.

The president’s announcement came hours after an evacuation notice released by the Israeli military to the residents of Southern Beirut’s Dahieh suburbs, threatening to target the area. The move resulted in widespread backlash, with the Iranian military later warning that it would target northern Israel if the attack proceeded.

Iran has maintained time and again that Lebanon is an integral part of its negotiations with the US, and any ceasefire or permanent agreement must also resolve the conflict in Lebanon.

However, Trump said on Wednesday that "we're trying to separate" peace talks with Iran and those between Israel and Lebanon.