April 8, 2026, Washington DC — The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) welcomes the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, and US leadership in advancing de-escalation efforts. This presents a critical opportunity to contain a rapidly expanding regional conflict and return to diplomacy, the only viable path toward peace and security.
Lebanon must urgently be included as well in this ceasefire framework. The continuation, and escalation, of Israeli strikes across Lebanon, including in densely populated urban areas, is deeply alarming. The scale and nature of these operations, with mounting civilian harm and significant humanitarian consequences, mark a dangerous new phase that must be unequivocally denounced. If Israel’s objective is long-term peace and stability, sustained military escalation will not achieve it.
This cycle of conflict was initially triggered by Hezbollah’s decision to open a front outside the authority of the Lebanese state, drawing the country into a terrible confrontation not of its choosing. The ATFL supports the US position, as reported in its 15-point proposal, that Iran must cease all support and financing of its proxy network, including Hezbollah. Pressing Iran to end its backing of Hezbollah must remain central to any credible negotiation framework.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have taken important and, in many cases, courageous steps to reassert authority under extremely difficult conditions. These efforts must now be reinforced through US engagement to de-conflict between Israeli operations and the LAF and to strengthen the LAF’s capacity to carry out its legally-mandated mission to fully disarm Hezbollah.
At the same time, no external actor can resolve the question of arms through force alone. Addressing Hezbollah’s weapons requires a sustained, state-led political process, backed by clear implementation plans, and supported by international partners. This is difficult work, but it is the only credible path forward.
The United States has a central role to play here. Having helped broker previous breakthroughs, including historic maritime boundary and ceasefire agreements, Washington should re-engage urgently and decisively. It should also ensure that ceasefire efforts extend to Lebanon and that its leverage is used to halt further deterioration and prevent a deepening humanitarian disaster.
A wiser path forward is therefore clear: sustained pressure on Iran to end its support for Hezbollah, immediate de-escalation, inclusion of Lebanon in ceasefire arrangements, and a return to diplomacy. Lebanon has signaled openness to direct talks with Israel — an opportunity the United States should encourage as a pathway towards state-to-state engagement, confidence-building, and longer-term stability. This should be paired with strengthened support for the LAF, including through coordination with United States Central Command (CENTCOM), and renewed international backing, particularly from Gulf partners, to reinforce state institutions and support humanitarian and recovery efforts, including through a donor conference.
Lebanon’s stability ultimately depends on restoring the authority of the state as the sole guarantor of security. That outcome will not be achieved through escalation, but through diplomacy and sustained international engagement aligned behind a clear, state-led process.