Israel and Lebanon sign US-brokered peace framework, but Netanyahu insists on security zone

A framework agreement for peace between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States, was signed in Washington. U.S. officials indicated that Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon as part of the deal. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately clarified that Israel would maintain its presence in a security zone until the militant group Hezbollah is disarmed.

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Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed.

The signing ceremony, held at the State Department, involved Lebanon's Ambassador Nada Moawad, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio described the agreement as a "first step on what will undoubtedly be a difficult journey, but also an important and necessary one." The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on March 2, following attacks by the Iran-backed group on Israel and subsequent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that have reportedly killed 4,000 people.

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Today, we have taken the first step on what will undoubtedly be a difficult journey, but also an important and necessary one.

Details of the framework agreement have not yet been released, and it is unclear how it differs from a ceasefire agreement reached in mid-April. While some U.S. sources suggest Israel has agreed to withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon, Israeli and Lebanese sources deny this. Hezbollah, through its parliamentary leader Hassan Fadlallah, has already protested the deal, stating the group will "cling to their weapons even more."

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The group will oppose any measures taken by the Lebanese authorities and will cling to their weapons even more.

Lebanon has reportedly committed to countering Iranian influence within the country. Ambassador Moawad expressed hope that the agreement would lead to the restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty, a permanent ceasefire, and the return of its people to their homes, allowing them to live in peace and prosperity. Ambassador Leiter stated that the agreement was a "trilateral framework we signed today is a first step towards restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring a permanent and final ceasefire, enabling our people to return to their homes and allowing all Lebanese to live in peace, security and prosperity."

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The trilateral framework we signed today is a first step towards restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring a permanent and final ceasefire, enabling our people to return to their homes and allowing all Lebanese to live in peace, security and prosperity.