The deal comes at a time when efforts to reduce regional tensions are underway following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran. Meanwhile, Israel continues its military operations and maintains a presence in southern Lebanon.

What Is the Framework Agreement?

The agreement is a trilateral framework involving the United States, Israel, and Lebanon. The U.S. not only hosted the negotiations but has also become the guarantor of the agreement.

Its primary objectives are to establish a permanent security arrangement in southern Lebanon, restore the authority of the Lebanese state, end Hezbollah s armed presence in the area, and eventually facilitate the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces.

However, the agreement does not require Israel to withdraw immediately from southern Lebanon, a provision that has already drawn criticism.

Key Provisions

Under the framework, the Lebanese Armed Forces will gradually assume control over all of southern Lebanon, while non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah, will be disarmed.

To begin the process, two pilot zones will be established where Hezbollah s weapons are to be removed before the Lebanese army takes full control.

Only after international verification of successful implementation in these areas will Israeli forces begin a phased withdrawal. Reconstruction efforts in the affected regions are also expected to commence.

The agreement further establishes a trilateral military coordination group, allowing the United States, Lebanon, and Israel to maintain direct communication on security matters.

Why Won t Israel Withdraw Immediately?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israeli troops will not leave southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed and Israel is satisfied that its security concerns have been addressed.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has gone even further, suggesting that Israel may maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon even after Hezbollah is disarmed to respond quickly to any future threats. This position has fueled fresh controversy within Lebanon.

Lebanon s Position

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the agreement as an important first step toward restoring the country s sovereignty.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the agreement aims to secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, facilitate the return of displaced civilians, and restore the state s full authority.

The Lebanese government maintains that decisions regarding war and peace should rest solely with the state, which it says is the core principle of the agreement.

Why Has Hezbollah Rejected the Deal?

Although Hezbollah did not participate in the negotiations, it remains a central actor due to its influence in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Israel cannot be trusted and insisted that resistance forces would not lay down their arms until Israeli troops fully and unconditionally withdraw from Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah warned that if the Lebanese army attempted to disarm Hezbollah by force under the U.S.-backed agreement, the country could be pushed toward civil conflict.

Supporters of Hezbollah have also staged motorcycle rallies in Beirut to protest the agreement.

Why Are Israeli Strikes Continuing?

Just hours after the agreement was signed, Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted the southern Lebanese towns of Mayfadoun and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, resulting in casualties.

Israeli forces also dropped evacuation leaflets in certain areas, while intermittent clashes continued across parts of southern Lebanon, highlighting that conditions on the ground remain unstable despite the agreement.

The U.S. Role

The United States has acted as both mediator and guarantor throughout the process.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement is intended to restore Lebanon s sovereignty, dismantle Hezbollah s military infrastructure, and ensure Israel s security.

According to the U.S. State Department, the framework provides a clear path toward ending the cycle of conflict in the region, but its success will depend on all parties honoring their commitments.

A Step Toward Peace?

The agreement establishes the first formal implementation framework between Israel and Lebanon, but it faces significant challenges.

The central obstacle remains that Israel has linked its withdrawal to Hezbollah s complete disarmament, while Hezbollah refuses to surrender its weapons before Israeli forces leave Lebanese territory. Continued Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have further complicated efforts to build trust.

What Comes Next?

In the coming weeks, the agreement is expected to move into its implementation phase, including the deployment of Lebanese forces to the pilot zones, progress on Hezbollah s disarmament, a possible phased Israeli withdrawal, and the launch of reconstruction projects.

However, if hostilities continue or any party fails to comply with the agreement, the framework could end up as another diplomatic document with little practical impact, much like previous attempts.

For now, the agreement has created fresh hope for stability in the Middle East, but lasting peace will require more than signatures—it will depend on trust, political commitment, and sustained implementation by all sides.