🌍 Israel and Lebanon formally launched bilateral negotiations through a U.S.-brokered framework agreement signed in Washington. A Declaration of Intent was signed in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside agreement on two pilot Israeli withdrawals intended to begin a phased process toward a broader withdrawal. Israel clarified that the timetable depends on security conditions.
🛡️ Israeli leaders emphasized that any broader withdrawal remains contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel will retain its security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah no longer poses a threat. Katz instructed the IDF to prepare for a prolonged deployment, including the Beaufort Castle ridge, while Netanyahu stressed Israel retains full freedom of military action and will prevent Hezbollah or civilians from returning to the security zone beyond Hezbollah's former anti-tank missile range.
🎯 The pilot withdrawals are intended to transfer responsibility to the Lebanese Armed Forces without altering Israel's broader security posture. One withdrawal area lies outside the security zone south of the Litani River, while the second includes a limited section north of the Litani that the IDF determined is no longer operationally required. Netanyahu said Israel is allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to gradually assume responsibility while maintaining Israel's security requirements.
🇮🇱 Netanyahu portrayed the agreement as a strategic shift inside Lebanon. He argued the Lebanese government is effectively distancing itself from Iran and Hezbollah by accepting state responsibility, while cautioning that implementation—not signatures—will determine success. He said Israel will judge Lebanon by its actions, adding that reforms remain necessary within the Lebanese Armed Forces due to what Israel describes as the continued presence of jihadist elements.
⚔️ Israeli officials also linked the agreement to Hezbollah's military weakening. Netanyahu said Hezbollah accepted the framework only after sustaining extensive losses, citing the destruction of roughly 90% of its missile and rocket arsenal, the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah and senior Radwan Force commanders, the pager operation, the elimination of more than 200 terrorists during the previous two weeks, and the continued destruction of terrorist infrastructure. He also reiterated Israel's goal of expanding domestic defense production, particularly against explosive drones, while reaffirming that Israel remains independent regarding Iran's nuclear program and will present its position to Washington.
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