On Friday, under the auspices of the United States, Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement paving the way to end hostilities on the Lebanese front.
Here are the key points of the agreement.
Lasting Peace
Israel and Lebanon reaffirm their "joint goal of establishing lasting peace and security."
The countries declare their "ambition to end their conflict (…) and establish good neighborly relations" while reaffirming "the right of each state to exist in peace."
Bilateral Negotiations
Israel and Lebanon will resolve their differences "through direct bilateral negotiations, mediated and supported by the United States."
A "military coordination group" has been formed by the two governments with U.S. participation to oversee the implementation of the agreement.
Disarmament of Hezbollah and Gradual Israeli Withdrawal
The agreement outlines a path for the Lebanese army to "effectively regain its sovereign authority over all Lebanese territories" following "verification of the disarmament of non-governmental armed groups and the dismantling of their infrastructure, which will enable the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territories" without directly naming Hezbollah, which is allied with Iran.
The Lebanese government declares its rejection and illegality of "any claims granting any party, whether state-affiliated or not, the right to use force on its behalf without its express and public approval."
Deployment of the Lebanese Army
The framework agreement specifies that the Lebanese army will gradually regain control over the country's territories, starting with "two pilot areas."
These areas will be determined in coordination with the Israeli army, which will vacate them gradually as "non-governmental armed groups" are disarmed and their infrastructure dismantled.
Additional "pilot areas" will be designated later by mutual agreement.
Once the Lebanese army regains full control over these areas, "internationally supported reconstruction efforts will begin, allowing Lebanese civilians to safely return to areas under the exclusive authority of Lebanese state institutions."
No Territorial Ambitions by Israel
Israel asserts that "its military actions in Lebanon are merely reactions to the attacks and threats posed by the hostile intentions of non-governmental armed groups, specifically Hezbollah." The elimination of this threat "will eliminate any future need for military intervention or the presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon," and "the Israeli government declares that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon."
Reconstruction of Lebanon
Concurrently, the United States "is working with international partners to provide solid support to the Lebanese government in rebuilding the country, revitalizing infrastructure, rejuvenating the economy, and creating pathways to prosperity."
Lebanon commits to "explicitly preventing the diversion of reconstruction funds to non-governmental armed groups and their associated entities."