Lebanon, Israel, and the U.S. Sign Tripartite Framework Agreement to Pave Way for Peace

WASHINGTON (CNA) — Lebanon, Israel, and the United States signed a tripartite framework agreement in Washington today, aiming to establish a pathway toward peace between the two long-standing adversaries.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the framework, the details of which remain undisclosed, follows five rounds of negotiations. It is intended to end decades of hostility and the weeks of ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during the signing ceremony that the deal "begins to build a framework for lasting peace and security," while cautioning that "this is the beginning of the beginning, and much work remains to be done."

Nada Hamadeh Moawad, the Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S., described the agreement as a primary step toward restoring Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring a permanent cessation of hostilities, and allowing displaced citizens to return home. Conversely, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter stated that under this agreement, "Iran will be sidelined, Hezbollah will withdraw, and the path to peace between Israel and Lebanon will be opened."

Despite the signing, both Israel and Hezbollah signaled that significant divisions remain. While Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government, it maintains a powerful armed force outside state control. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem insisted that Israel has "no choice but to withdraw fully from every inch of Lebanese territory," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained that Israel has no intention of withdrawing until Hezbollah is disarmed. Negotiations, prompted by U.S. pressure, began in April, but despite a temporary ceasefire on April 17, the conflict has largely persisted.