Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to renew efforts to implement a ceasefire framework along their shared border following U.S.-brokered talks in Washington, in a deal that remains contingent on Hezbollah halting attacks and withdrawing its fighters from southern Lebanon.

The agreement emerged from a fourth high-level trilateral meeting involving U.S., Israeli and Lebanese officials, as Washington stepped up diplomatic efforts to contain escalating cross-border hostilities and prevent wider regional spillover linked to tensions involving Iran.

In a joint statement, the three parties said they had agreed to work toward implementing a cessation of hostilities under which Hezbollah would end attacks against Israel and withdraw its operatives from areas south of the Litani River.

The agreement also foresees the creation of so-called “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume exclusive security responsibility following the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The mechanism is intended to reinforce state authority in the south and support the gradual consolidation of security control by Lebanese institutions.

Israel reaffirmed that its security and respect for its territorial integrity can only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure across Lebanon, according to the joint statement.

Lebanon, meanwhile, reaffirmed the need for full implementation of the cessation of hostilities, respect for internationally recognized borders, territorial integrity and full state sovereignty. Beirut also committed to strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces, with U.S. support, to enable them to assert effective control throughout the country.

The statement echoed remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently described Hezbollah as “not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but an enemy of Lebanon.”

The parties agreed on the importance of continuing both political and security-track negotiations, with follow-up meetings scheduled for the week of June 22 aimed at advancing discussions toward a more comprehensive settlement. The United States said it would continue facilitating communication between the two sides.