Lebanon, Israel and the US signed a trilateral framework agreement in a ceremony in Washington on Friday, aimed at paving the way for lasting peace between the two countries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement begins to create a framework for lasting peace and security, and added, "This is the beginning of the beginning. We have a lot of work ahead."
Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, said the agreement is a first step toward restoring Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, achieving a permanent and final end to hostilities, and enabling our people to return to their land.
Israel's Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said that under the agreement, "Iran is out, Hezbollah is out, and the path to Israeli-Lebanese peace is within."
Details of the agreement
According to a text released by the US State Department on Friday evening, Israel and Lebanon declare their intention to definitively end the conflict, address its underlying causes, and thus formally conclude any state of war between them.
The agreement stipulates that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will reestablish sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory, which is contingent on the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah. This process will allow for a gradual withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from Lebanese territory.
Pilot zones and military transition
In a pre-recorded video shared with Israeli media following the announcement of the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had no plans to leave Lebanon until Hezbollah lays down its arms. Netanyahu said Israel's military would allow the Lebanese army to take control in two pilot zones — one south of the Litani River and one north of it.
According to the agreement text, the LAF will assume full and effective security responsibility in these areas, internationally backed reconstruction work will begin, and Lebanese civilians will be able to return safely to these areas.
Differing positions of the parties
Despite the agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah, which is part of the Lebanese government but has a powerful armed wing outside state control, revealed that major differences remain. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday that Israel has no choice but to completely withdraw from every inch of Lebanese territory and that its forces must leave unconditionally.
In a separate statement, Rubio said that the agreement creates a clear and structured process for disarming Hezbollah and its infrastructure, and that a US-facilitated military working group has been established to help with implementation.
Humanitarian aid and background
The senior US diplomat also said they would pledge $100 million in humanitarian aid in coordination with the United Nations and cover $30 million in costs to increase the capacity and capability of the Lebanese army.
UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the agreement, calling the signing in Washington a moment of hope and opportunity.
Under US pressure, Lebanese and Israeli officials began direct talks in Washington in April, and a ceasefire declared on April 17 failed to halt the fighting. This month, a new but highly fragile ceasefire was declared after Tehran insisted that Lebanon be included in any broader agreement to end the war with Washington.
The conflict has displaced more than one million people and killed more than 4,200, according to Lebanese officials.
