Israel-Lebanon Security Framework Links Israeli Withdrawal to Hezbollah Disarmament

Israel, Lebanon and the United States have signed a trilateral security framework that ties the phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanese villages to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah. On Tuesday the Lebanese Armed Forces entered Zawtar al‑Gharbiyeh after the Israel Defense Forces pulled out, marking the first "pilot zone" under the agreement. The framework, crafted after five rounds of direct Israel‑Lebanon talks, commits Lebanon to restore full sovereignty while requiring the removal of non‑state armed groups.

The United States, which pledged roughly $3 billion in aid to the Lebanese army, will condition further assistance on verifiable milestones, including the dismantling of Hezbollah’s weapons and the deployment of Lebanese forces in the transferred zones. President Donald Trump met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House, reiterating support for the plan and stressing the need for the Lebanese army to take control. Officials have warned that implementation remains uncertain, with Hezbollah still vastly armed and domestic political pressures potentially slowing progress.