Israel Signs Lebanon Framework Agreement in Washington as Rubio Says Peace Framework Begins

Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement in Washington after several days of negotiations brokered by the US, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it will begin to put in place a framework for lasting peace and security.

The deal comes as limited fighting has continued between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire, and Hezbollah is not party to Friday's agreement.

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The framework agreement says the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will restore effective sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory, "pending the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of associated infrastructure".

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah disarms, and the Israeli army is currently occupying around 5% of the country's territory.

Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed at least 4,192 people since the current round of hostilities began, with more than 11,600 injured and more than 1.2 million displaced.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem demanded that Israel must pull its troops completely out of Lebanon “unconditionally,” delivering the remarks in a televised address on Friday on the Muslim holy day of Ashura.

Qassem said, “Israel has no option but to withdraw completely from every inch of our Lebanese land,” and “Israel must leave unconditionally.”

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At the signing ceremony, Rubio said, “Today is “the beginning of the beginning,”” and added, “There’s a lot of work ahead.”

CNN reported Netanyahu said one of the areas from which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will pull back its forces is north of the Litani River, while a second is south of the river.

Lebanon’s Ambassador to the US, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, said the agreement would be the “first step on the road to restoring Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The framework agreement calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Lebanon, while Israel and Lebanon agreed that Israel forces will remain deployed in the "security zone" until Hezbollah is disarmed.

A US-supported military coordination group will also be established to help implement the framework, and the agreement says Lebanon makes a specific request for support of international and "particularly Arab partners, under the leadership of the US".

In Washington, Rubio announced that the United States will transfer $130 million to Lebanon, including an immediate $100 million in humanitarian assistance in coordination with the U.N.

Rubio also said the Department of War is prepared to reimburse the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with more than $30 million under existing authorities and appropriations.

The stakes in the sources are tied to sovereignty and disarmament, with the BBC noting the framework includes a clause that "nothing in this Framework prevents them from exercising their inherent right to defend themselves" even as the LAF is to restore authority.