Israel strikes Lebanon hours after signing security deal

Israel launched an airstrike in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon just one day after signing a framework agreement with Lebanon aimed at achieving "lasting peace and security." The Israeli army confirmed the attack, stating that the target was an alleged "terrorist" who posed a threat to soldiers in the Nabatieh region.

According to Lebanon's National News Agency (ANN), an Israeli drone attacked the town of Nabatieh al Fawqa. Details regarding casualties or injuries were not immediately available. This incident follows the signing of a trilateral framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel, and the U.S. in Washington, which was shared by the State Department, excluding a "Security Annex."

Article 7 of the agreement stipulates that both Lebanon and Israel can "exercise their inherent right to self-defense." A non-public "Security Annex" reportedly details how the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will gradually assume control in "pilot zones" to facilitate a phased withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from southern Lebanon. The agreement specifies that once non-state armed groups are disarmed and their infrastructure dismantled in these zones, the LAF will assume full security responsibility.

Despite the agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously stated that Israeli troops would withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon but would not leave entirely until Hezbollah disarmed and ceased to be a "threat." Hezbollah MP Hasán Fadlallah criticized the pact, calling it a "gift to the Israeli enemy" from the Lebanese government and asserting it would not impact the group's resistance capabilities.

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exercise their inherent right to self-defense