Israel and Lebanon signed a US-brokered framework agreement in Washington on 26 June, following five rounds of direct negotiations. The accord, described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “historic achievement,” conditions the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon on the full disarmament of Hezbollah. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that troops would remain in a designated security zone — including the Beaufort heights — until the group is stripped of its weapons, and that the area would be cleared of residents and Hezbollah infrastructure.

Israeli officials framed the agreement as a strategic blow to Iran. Katz claimed Tehran had failed to force an Israeli withdrawal through pressure on Washington, and warned that any Iranian attack to obstruct implementation would be met with “great force.” Netanyahu said the United States and Lebanon had recognised Israel’s right to maintain the security zone as long as necessary, and that the Lebanese government’s signature signalled to Iran and Hezbollah to “leave Lebanon.” The Lebanese ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, called the accord a “first step” towards restoring sovereignty and returning displaced residents. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected the framework as “null and void,” accusing Beirut of unilateral concessions that legitimise Israeli military presence. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had previously stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon was as important to Tehran as a ceasefire with Iran itself, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the Lebanon dossier is separate from any agreement with Iran and that the country’s future would be determined by its own people.

The framework establishes a tripartite military coordination group, facilitated by the United States, to oversee security arrangements. As a pilot, Israeli forces will begin withdrawing from two villages — Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh and Froun — after which the Lebanese army is to deploy. Israeli officials stressed that the military would retain freedom of action to counter threats, and Netanyahu acknowledged that the mission was incomplete, citing suicide drones as a persistent challenge. Israeli media reported that Hezbollah may launch attacks to undermine the agreement, and that Israel is prepared for a harsh response, though a security source told Ynet that a strike on Beirut’s Dahieh suburb was not automatic, as it could draw Iran into direct confrontation.

The accord is a framework, not a final peace treaty, and both sides acknowledge significant implementation hurdles. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced the agreement as a “grave mistake,” arguing that the Lebanese state cannot be trusted to disarm Hezbollah, and demanded a cabinet vote. Netanyahu said he would dispatch a delegation to Washington to present Israel’s security views on Iran’s nuclear programme. The first practical test will be the pilot withdrawals and the reaction of Hezbollah and its backers, with the dossier remaining open as the tripartite mechanism begins its work.