Israel and Lebanon have signed a framework agreement for ceasefire, following four days of negotiations in Washington, with the mediation of the Trump administration.
The signing represents significant diplomatic progress, but it is unclear to what extent it can be implemented as long as Hezbollah remains armed and exerts influence in the country.
The framework agreement outlines a path toward a future peace agreement and includes immediate measures to be taken by the parties on the ground.
One such measure is the launch of two “pilot programs,” under which the Israeli army will withdraw from small areas it currently occupies and the Lebanese army will deploy there.
Israeli and American officials stated that U.S. military officers will cooperate with the Lebanese army in “pilot programs,” primarily to verify that there is no Hezbollah presence in these areas.
One of the two areas is located north of the Litani River and the other south of it, two Israeli officials said.
Although the withdrawal of Israeli forces is expected to be limited, it will mark the first such move since Israel expanded its occupation of southern Lebanon during the war with Iran.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has largely held since last Saturday, although Israel has carried out several strikes against targets it claimed posed direct threats from Hezbollah.
The agreement was signed by the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington and State Department advisor Dan Holler.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during the signing ceremony at the State Department that “it’s a good day,” but emphasized that “there is a lot of work ahead of us.”
Rubio spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in an effort to resolve the final differences, a U.S. official said.
Rubio participated in the talks between the negotiating teams on Friday morning.
