U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday a trilateral framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon following talks in Washington. The agreement, signed by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh, is described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.
The framework establishes a clear process to restore Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, disarm Hezbollah, and dismantle its infrastructure. It enables Israel to return to its borders once the threat to its citizens is removed and creates a trilateral Military Coordination Group for Lebanon, facilitated by the United States. While Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire, the move is contingent on Hezbollah agreeing to halt hostilities.
The deal follows five rounds of talks, with Lebanese officials having begun direct discussions with Israel in Washington in April. The conflict in southern Lebanon has displaced more than one million Lebanese and left more than 4,200 dead. Secretary Rubio described the agreement as an essential first step in what will be a difficult journey.