Framework Agreement Signed for 'Permanent Peace' Between Israel and Lebanon

Following ambassador-level discussions at the U.S. Department of State, a framework agreement for permanent peace and security between Israel and Lebanon was signed under U.S. mediation. Speaking at the signing ceremony, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the start of a new process despite violations of previous ceasefire agreements between the parties, stating, “Today, we are pleased to announce that, with U.S. mediation and support, a framework for permanent peace and security between the governments of Lebanon and Israel is beginning to take effect.”

The agreement was signed by Israel's Ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh. Lebanese Ambassador Hamadeh described the framework agreement as the 'first step' towards re-establishing Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity and definitively ending hostilities. Israeli Ambassador Leiter emphasized the terms of the agreement, stating, “In this trilateral framework agreement, Iran is out. Hezbollah is out. The path to peace between Israel and Lebanon is in.”

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State and the agreement text, after the Lebanese Armed Forces disarm non-state armed groups and dismantle their infrastructure, the Israeli army will gradually withdraw from Lebanese territory. The Lebanese army will assume full security responsibility in two initially designated pilot areas, where non-state actors will be completely excluded.

With the signing of the framework agreement, it was stated that the two countries will immediately establish working groups to draft a comprehensive peace and security agreement and commit to halting hostile actions against each other on international platforms.