Israel and Lebanon Sign Historic Framework Agreement
U.S.-brokered deal outlines phased de-escalation, Lebanese sovereignty measures, and Israeli security arrangements in southern Lebanon
Photo: IDF website
An official framework agreement was signed between formal representatives of Israel and Lebanon this weekend, aimed at paving the way toward a peace and security agreement and establishing a structured channel for dialogue between the two countries.
The historic agreement was signed on June 26, 2026, at the Harry S. Truman Building of the U.S. State Department in Washington, by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador, Nada Hamada Muwad, under the auspices of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The ambassadors signed the agreement at the conclusion of the fifth round of talks held in Washington under the guidance of senior U.S. administration officials. Initial reactions in northern Israel included a sense of relief among residents and hope that the agreement will hold, with expectations that Lebanon’s government and army—not Hezbollah—will assert control, and that northern communities will enjoy prolonged calm.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the agreement as a step toward restoring Lebanese sovereignty and ending hostilities. In contrast, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem sharply criticized the deal, calling it “humiliating and shameful.”
In Israel, the prime minister and defense minister stated that the IDF will remain in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as a major achievement for Israel and a blow to Iran, while emphasizing that Israel would remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu outlined two designated “pilot zones” under the agreement—one north of the Litani River and one to its south—from which the IDF would withdraw, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to enter under close American supervision.
At a press conference, the prime minister stated that Israel would remain along the “yellow line” in the security zone, including Beaufort and the Bint Jbeil ridge. “The agreement could end the conflict and evolve into a peace treaty,” Netanyahu said. The document grants Israel legitimacy to maintain a military presence until the full disarmament of terrorist infrastructure in the pilot areas, while preserving freedom of action to counter threats.
Under the framework agreement, both states declare their intention to bring a full end to the conflict and formally terminate the state of war between them. A gradual reciprocal process was agreed upon, under which Lebanese forces would reassert sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, contingent on the disarmament of all non-state armed groups. The agreement includes 14 articles recognizing the right of both sovereign states to live in peace and security.
The Lebanese government affirms in the document its commitment to restoring full sovereignty, with the Lebanese Armed Forces assuming exclusive responsibility for national security, while preserving Israel’s right to self-defense. Lebanon and the United States also committed to preventing the flow of reconstruction funds to non-state armed organizations.
In parallel to the signing, tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, with reciprocal strikes between Iran and U.S. forces. Over the weekend, Iran attacked tankers and commercial vessels in the strait, prompting CENTCOM forces to strike multiple targets in Iran, including a communications tower in the port town of Sirik and missile and UAV storage sites. The American strikes were carried out under orders from the commander-in-chief following violations of an interim peace agreement signed on June 17.
The Iran–U.S. crisis, which began in January 2026 amid rising Iranian threats, continues alongside diplomatic efforts in Lebanon. Iran reportedly attacked targets in Bahrain using UAVs on Saturday morning, and CENTCOM announced that U.S. Air Force aircraft responded by striking Iranian military infrastructure around the Strait of Hormuz.