Israel and Lebanon Sign Framework Agreement in Washington

Israel and Lebanon reached a framework agreement in Washington after five days of direct talks, brokered by the United States. The pact pledges to end the state of war, restore full Lebanese sovereign authority over its territory, and implement a phased, verified withdrawal of Israeli forces, starting with two pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Under the agreement, the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume security responsibilities in these zones once non‑state armed groups, chiefly Hezbollah, are disarmed and their infrastructure dismantled. The United States will coordinate a military liaison group and mobilise international reconstruction aid for Lebanon, conditional on compliance and transparency.

Hezbollah, however, rejected the terms, demanding an unconditional Israeli pull‑out from all Lebanese territory and condemning any partial withdrawal. The group continued air‑raid operations near Nabatiye and Beit Yahoun even as negotiations concluded, underscoring persistent tensions despite the diplomatic breakthrough.