Israel’s decision to maintain its military presence in southern Lebanon was criticized in the U.S. assessment of the framework agreement signed in June. A senior unnamed U.S. State Department official said a permanent Israeli military presence in the area was incompatible with the agreement.
The official said such a deployment would undermine the commitments made by Lebanon and Israel to long-term peace and security. Washington expects all parties to comply with the agreed framework.
Israeli army will not withdraw from southern Lebanon
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced during a visit to southern Lebanon that the army’s presence in the area would continue indefinitely. Katz said Israeli forces would not leave or withdraw from the area and would ensure the security of the communities in the north.
The U.S. official recalled that Israel had stated it had no territorial ambitions in Lebanese territory. However, the official noted that maintaining a permanent military presence in southern Lebanon was incompatible with the obligations under the agreement and the goal of lasting peace.
What the framework agreement provides
The framework agreement, signed under U.S. auspices on June 26, provides for the phased withdrawal of the Israeli army from occupied Lebanese territory. The withdrawal is conditional on Hezbollah’s disarmament and the verifiable dismantling of the group’s infrastructure.
The agreement also provides for the disarmament of armed groups and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south. The Lebanese army has begun operations in some of the initial pilot areas designated by the agreement. The United States has also announced that it will continue to support the process.
More than 1 million people displaced in Lebanon
According to figures released by Lebanese authorities, 4,335 people were killed and 12,277 wounded in Israel’s operation, which began on March 2. More than 1 million people were displaced as a result of the operations.
The occupied area refers to the part of southern Lebanon controlled by the Israeli army. In some areas, it extends for approximately 10 kilometers.
