In Washington, Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement aimed at ending the fighting between the two countries. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a first step on a difficult path. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah rejected the deal and warned of civil war.
The trilateral document was signed by Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawed and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter at the US State Department. Moawed said the agreement aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty, ensure a permanent cessation of hostilities, and enable the return of displaced persons. Leiter said the deal isolates Iran and Hezbollah and clears the way for peace between Israel and Lebanon.
According to insiders, the talks in the US also involved plans for Israeli troops to hand over parts of the occupied territories in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army. Hezbollah, however, announced massive resistance. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told Al-Majadin that Lebanese authorities cannot enforce the agreement from Washington unless they risk a civil war with US support. The group will oppose any government action in Beirut and hold even more firmly to its weapons.
Benjamin Netanyahu praised the agreement, calling it a severe blow to Iran. In a video posted on X, he said: “The most important thing is that Israel clearly maintains the security zone in southern Lebanon. This is a great success, and we will preserve it as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed and as long as there is a threat to the State of Israel.”
The diplomatic efforts follow a ceasefire agreed in mid-April, which remained fragile. Israel continues to station troops in southern Lebanon to maintain a buffer zone. On Friday, the Israeli air force dropped leaflets over the southern Lebanese town of Mansuri, urging residents to leave. The Israeli military also said it had killed seven Hezbollah fighters in the occupied zone.
Lebanon was drawn into the conflict with Iran on March 2. Since then, more than 4,000 people have been killed and over one million displaced. On the Israeli side, at least 32 soldiers and four civilians have died.
Source: Tagesschau
