The Israeli–Lebanese Ceasefire Understanding (also known as The Grapes of Wrath Understandings and the April Understanding) was an informal written agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, reached through the diplomatic efforts of the US, which ended the 1996 military conflict between the two sides. It was announced at 18:00 on April 26, 1996.
Under its terms, both sides agreed to end cross-border attacks on civilian targets, and to refrain from launching attacks from using civilian villages. The Monitoring Committee for the Implementation of the Grapes of Wrath Understandings was created, composed of representatives from the US, France, Syria, Israel and Lebanon. It convenes to monitor and discuss infringements of the understandings by the two sides.
In February 2024, it was reported that the 1996 ceasefire understanding was a model for negotiations being undertaken to end the Israel–Hamas war.[1]
The full text of the agreement and adjoining letter from US secretary of state Warren Christopher is as follows:
Following is the text of a letter written by U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher to Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres on 30 April 1996: