Israel, Lebanon and US sign framework agreement for peace

Israel, Lebanon, and the United States signed a trilateral framework agreement in Washington on Friday, marking what US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called "the beginning of the beginning" toward a lasting peace. The pact, announced after four days of negotiations, aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty and secure a permanent ceasefire, though details remain scarce Source: excelsiormx; hoydo.

Key provisions

• Israel will withdraw troops from two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, to be replaced by the Lebanese army Source: lavozar; mileniomx.
• The agreement establishes a trilateral military coordination group and calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah Source: elmundoes.
• Israeli PM Netanyahu described the deal as "a great victory" and "a blow to Iran," vowing to remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed Source: lavozar; elconfidencial.

Reactions and obstacles

Hezbollah immediately rejected the negotiations, with lawmaker Hassan Fadallah stating: "Whoever shakes hands with the enemy is a criminal like them" Source: lavozar. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the agreement as a step toward "a land completely liberated" under state sovereignty Source: excelsiormx. The US-Iran memorandum of understanding from last week also includes a ceasefire in Lebanon, but neither Israel nor Hezbollah is a party to it Source: mileniomx; infobae.

The agreement is widely seen as a fragile first step, with Rubio acknowledging "a long road ahead" Source: elconfidencial. The coming weeks will test whether the framework can translate into a durable peace.