US State Department Announces Framework Agreement Between Israel and Lebanon
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington, announced the signing of a framework agreement aimed at disarming Hezbollah and returning territories.
The US State Department announced on Friday the conclusion of a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, described as a first step toward peace after months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The agreement was signed in Washington by Israeli Ambassador Yehiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamade Moawad, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance.
The framework agreement establishes a process for disarming Hezbollah and returning territories seized by Israeli forces during hostilities against the group. The US will support the work of a newly created "Military Coordination Group for Lebanon" to implement the agreement and has allocated $100 million in humanitarian aid.
The agreement does not involve Hezbollah, and a representative of the group in Lebanon warned of the threat of civil war. Lebanese officials have prioritized the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, while Israeli officials focus on disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the framework agreement a "great achievement," stating that Israel will remain in a security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed. He noted that Israel will allow the Lebanese army to begin preparing to take control of territory, while Israeli forces establish two pilot zones.
Recall that in April, US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and in late May, Israel carried out over 120 airstrikes on Lebanon. In early June, reports emerged of a truce conditional on a complete cessation of Hezbollah shelling and the withdrawal of its fighters from southern Lebanon.
