US, Israel & Lebanon sign trilateral framework deal after fifth round of talks

Israel, Lebanon, and the United States have signed a trilateral framework agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. This landmark deal, reached after four days of negotiations in Washington, is being hailed as a crucial first step toward a comprehensive peace settlement.

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Today is the beginning of the beginning. There's a lot of work ahead. We don't, in any way, underestimate the difficulty of the task ahead. But we understand the importance of it, how vital it is. And we are honoured to play a part in bringing this together.

The agreement stipulates that Israel will withdraw its forces from two specific areas in southern Lebanon. These territories will then be secured by the Lebanese Armed Forces as part of an initial security arrangement. This move is expected to pave the way for a broader peace process.

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The people of Lebanon and Israel deserve to live in peace and security, but have long suffered from conflict. What they deserve is what they once had, a prosperous and peaceful country. We believe today is the first step in that journey.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the agreement as a significant breakthrough but stressed that considerable challenges remain. "Today is the beginning of the beginning. There's a lot of work ahead," Rubio stated, emphasizing the importance of the deal for the people of both nations who have long endured conflict.

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The framework is a first step on the road to restoring Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, securing a permanent and final cessation of hostilities, enabling our people to go back to their land and allowing all Lebanese to live in peace, security and prosperity.

Lebanon's Ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, viewed the framework as a vital milestone for restoring her country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter echoed this sentiment, describing the agreement as the start of a long-term peace process where "Iran is out. Hezbollah is out. And the road to peace between Israel and Lebanon is in."

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The final destination of the framework is peace between the two countries. Real peace, where both countries will live in security, where Israel's and Lebanon's sovereignty will be respected, honoured and protected. In this performance-based trilateral framework agreement, Iran is out. Hezbollah is out. And the road to peace between Israel and Lebanon is in.