The United States has released the full text of a 14-point framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon in Washington, outlining a roadmap for stabilizing the border, strengthening Lebanon’s state authority, and implementing a phased Israeli military withdrawal.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier announced the signing of the agreement between the two countries. According to the framework, both sides have agreed to a step-by-step process aimed at reducing tensions and restoring long-term stability along the shared border.
Under the agreement’s second provision, Israel and Lebanon have committed to a mutually agreed, phased implementation process. As part of the arrangement, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will gradually extend effective state authority across the country’s entire territory.
A key condition of the agreement is the disarmament of non-state armed groups operating within Lebanon and the dismantling of their military infrastructure. The framework states that once these measures have been implemented and independently verified, Israel will begin a phased withdrawal of its forces from Lebanese territory.
The U.S. State Department said additional details of the remaining provisions will be released in stages.
Despite an existing ceasefire, both Israel and Hezbollah continue to accuse each other of violating the truce, with intermittent cross-border attacks persisting. However, various reports indicate that the intensity of hostilities has eased in recent weeks.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the agreement as a positive development, describing it as an important first step toward restoring the country’s full sovereignty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, made it clear that Israeli forces would not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed. According to Israeli officials, the military currently maintains control over approximately 5 percent of Lebanese territory.
Netanyahu also said the Lebanese Army would initially assume responsibility for security in two designated areas—one south of the Litani River and another to its north. He added that Israel would evaluate the effectiveness of the arrangement before deciding on further withdrawals.
Source: Al Jazeera.