Israel, Lebanon and US sign framework agreement in Washington

At a ceremony in Washington, Israel, Lebanon and the United States signed a trilateral framework agreement brokered by the US. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as “the beginning of the beginning” and said the deal “establishes a clear and structured process to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure, and enable Israel to return to its borders once that threat to its citizens is removed.” Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam posted that the agreement aims to achieve Israel’s withdrawal from all Lebanese territories.

The text, not publicly released, reportedly sets up pilot security zones where Israeli forces will pull back and the Lebanese army will be deployed, and creates a trilateral Military Coordination Group to oversee implementation. Reports say Israel agreed to withdraw from two areas south of the “Yellow Line.” The same day, Israeli air strikes killed two civilians in Mayfadoun and hit other Lebanese towns, underscoring that fighting continues even as the diplomatic process moves forward. Hezbollah was not part of the talks and has publicly rejected the framework, raising questions about its enforceability.

Critics argue the arrangement institutionalises existing power asymmetries, giving Israel conditional withdrawal rights while placing compliance responsibilities on a Lebanese state that lacks full control over its southern territory.