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The trilateral agreement signed by the United States, Israel and Lebanon in Washington on June 26 fulfills all Israeli demands and more, but leaves Beirut hanging on a promise of a conditional, limited Israeli withdrawal from its southern region.
While agreement has been described by the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “the beginning of the beginning,” its full text shows that it includes significant terms with long term implications.
The text of the agreement starts by stating that both Israel and Lebanon “declare their ambition to end conflict between them, ensure the sovereignty and security of both countries, and establish peaceful neighborly relations between the two countries.” It then lists the following 14 terms:
“1 — Israel and Lebanon affirm the right of each state to exist in peace, and their mutual desire to live in security as neighboring sovereign states. Israel and Lebanon hereby declare their intent to conclusively end the conflict, address its underlying causes, and to therewith formally conclude any state of war between them. This Framework, reached after multiple rounds of direct negotiations between the parties, builds upon previous successful agreements and understandings, and expresses a determination to make irreversible progress towards the comprehensive resolution of all issues between the two countries. Both countries affirm their intention to resolve these issues as sovereign states through direct bilateral negotiations, with the mediation and support of the United States.”
This gives Israel formal Lebanese recognition and represents a declaration of intent to end the state of war between the two countries. In return, Lebanon gets nothing here.
“2 — The Government of Israel and the Government of Lebanon commit to a reciprocal, sequenced process, with clear conditions, whereby the LAF will restore effective sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory, pending the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of associated infrastructure, enabling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to progressively redeploy out of the Lebanese territory. The components of this process will be detailed in a Security Annex, developed with the full support of the United States, that will complement this Framework. The Framework will set out the requisite measures, security arrangements, and verification mechanisms to advance this process. Successful implementation of this Framework will pave the way for a stable and peaceful relationship between the two countries and will enable the IDF to redeploy out of the Lebanese territory.”
According to this term, Israel only withdraws after verified disarmament of Hezbollah. This gives Israel full leverage — it can stay in Lebanese territory until all of its security conditions are met by Lebanon.
“3 — Pursuant to the Security Annex, and as part of the broader effort toward the Lebanese state’s monopoly of arms and sovereign territorial control, the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) will gradually assume full and effective security responsibility in pilot zones, which will serve as the mechanism for phased and verified redeployments of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) and the deployments of the LAF. Two initial zones have been agreed to by the IDF and the LAF, and future pilot zones will also be agreed upon by mutual consent. Upon the confirmation of successful disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of their infrastructure in these zones, the LAF will assume full and effective security responsibility in these zones, internationally supported reconstruction efforts will begin, and Lebanese civilians will be able to safely return to these areas under the exclusive control of Lebanese state authorities. The United States intends to work closely with both countries to verify and support this process.”
Israel gets a gradual, phased process where it gets to test Lebanese compliance in key areas first. The withdrawal is strictly conditional on the successful removal of Hezbollah, allowing Israel to maintain presence as long as needed. In essence, the LAF will be acting as a proxy for the IDF.
“4 — The Government of Lebanon reaffirms its resolute and irreversible commitment to restoring and exercising full sovereignty over all its territory. The Government of Lebanon will rebuild the State’s monopoly on the use of force, achieve the complete and verified disarmament of all non-state armed groups, and ensure that such groups will have no military or security role and no armed capabilities anywhere in Lebanon. The Government of Lebanon herewith requests the support of international and, particularly Arab partners, under the leadership of the United States, to achieve this outcome.”
Lebanon formally pledges to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities across the entire country. This is a long-standing Israeli strategic goal.
“5 — The Government of Israel stresses that its military actions in Lebanon are solely a consequence of the attacks, threat posed by, and hostile intent of non-state armed groups, particularly Hizballah. The Government of Israel underscores that the termination of this threat, through the disarmament and dismantlement of such groups in all of Lebanon and additional security arrangements to be agreed upon between the two countries, will eliminate any future need for IDF military action or presence in Lebanon. Pursuant to the above, the Government of Israel declares that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.”
This term allows Israel, with the formal approval of Lebanon, to present its actions as purely defensive while tying any future presence solely to the existence of Hezbollah, giving it a permanent justification clause.
“6 — The Government of Lebanon, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and in exercise of its sovereign authority, reaffirms that its security forces hold exclusive responsibility for Lebanon’s security and defense and that the Government of Lebanon holds the exclusive sovereign authority to make war and peace. The Government of Lebanon rejects the claims of any state or non-state actor to use force on its behalf without its explicit authorization, and reiterates that any claim by any state or non-state actor to exercise a military or security role is illegal per the decisions of the Lebanese Government and contrary to Lebanese national interests.”
This term explicitly delegitimizes Hezbollah’s “resistance” role and Iranian influence. It weakens the legal and political basis for the group to operate, and by that, it again legitimize any military action by Israel.
“7 — The Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel affirm that nothing in this Framework prevents them from exercising their inherent right to defend themselves, as recognized in the Charter of the United Nations and consistent with applicable international law, reaffirming that no third party may exercise that right on their behalf. Both governments commit to establishing a military coordination group, with US support and participation, to ensure overall implementation of this Framework.”
According to this term, Israel preserves maximum freedom to strike if it deems necessary, while the U.S.-backed coordination mechanism ensures Israel has direct influence and early warning.
“8 — The two countries affirm that they share the objective of a secure, rebuilt Lebanon, under full Lebanese state sovereignty, in which no non-state armed group poses a threat to Israel, Lebanon, or citizens of either country. Furthermore, the two countries recognize that the restoration of security in South Lebanon through the deployment of the LAF, the safe return of its civilian population, and the security of Israel’s northern communities, are essential to long-term stability and peace.”
This term codifies Israel’s main war goal — neutralizing Hezbollah — as the official goal of the agreement, with formal Lebanese endorsement.
“9 — The Government of Lebanon commits to a rigorous, performance-based program to enable the capacity of the LAF to assert full military and security control within Lebanon in accordance with security arrangements, agreed upon within the framework of negotiations, and to implement the disarmament of all non-state armed groups and exercise effective authority across Lebanon. The Government of Lebanon welcomes the readiness of the United States to support such efforts, recognizing that any new US assistance will be strictly conditioned on verifiable milestones, full transparency, demonstrated results, and ongoing oversight. This effort will enable the safe and orderly re-establishment of Lebanese sovereignty, also contributing to the broader stability and security of the entire Middle East.”
Under this term, U.S. aid to the LAF is tied to verifiable disarmament milestones. This is meant to ensure that the country will actually act against Hezbollah, with Israel able to monitor progress through the U.S.
“10 — Separately, and simultaneously, the United States will rally international partners to actively support the Government of Lebanon in rebuilding the country, repairing infrastructure, restoring the economy, and creating opportunities for prosperity. This is expected to include mobilizing substantial reconstruction and humanitarian assistance for Lebanon, economic recovery programs, and investment initiatives so that Lebanon can recover from years of conflict and provide a better future for all its citizens.”
This term ties the reconstruction of Lebanon to the disarmament of Hezbollah, which fulfills yet another core demand by Israel.
“11 — Lebanon and the United States commit to preventing funds from flowing to any entity, organization, or individual affiliated with non-state armed groups and to take available legal measures to proscribe the activity of any such entity, organization, or individual. The Government of Lebanon explicitly commits to prevent reconstruction funds from flowing to non-state armed groups and connected entities.”
This term, if implemented, cuts off reconstruction money from Hezbollah, financially weakening the group and preventing it from rebuilding its military infrastructure.
“12 — Upon the signing of this Framework, the two countries will work to establish working groups to draft the full comprehensive peace and security agreement. Moreover, to achieve the goals of the Framework, the two governments will immediately establish complementary tracks of ongoing direct engagement, facilitated by the United States. The two governments commit to proceeding in good faith until a full and lasting peace is achieved, bringing security, stability, and prosperity to the people of Israel and Lebanon.”
Israel moves toward a normalized relationship on its terms, with the U.S. heavily involved to pressure Lebanon and ensure Israeli security priorities remain central.
“13 — In line with their shared goals to establish stable and peaceful relations, Israel and Lebanon commit to take good faith measures that demonstrate positive intent, including the cessation of all hostile or adverse actions in international political or legal fora, and pledge to work towards the search for and return of remains and the release of detainees.”
Israel gains immunity from Lebanese legal measures, including for example any production at the International Court of Justice for war crimes, all while securing practical cooperation on its missing soldiers and detainees.
“14 — The two governments acknowledge the role of the United States in supporting their efforts to end decades of conflict and establish lasting stability and comprehensive peace between the two countries and express their deep appreciation for the vision and leadership of President Donald J. Trump.”
This term locks in strong American backing for the framework, giving Israel a powerful guarantor that will likely support Israel’s interpretation of compliance.
Hezbollah has not yet addressed the deal. Nevertheless, one of the group’s lawmakers, Hassan Fadlallah, has already warned that the Lebanese government would not be able to enforce these terms unless, with U.S. support, “they go to civil war.”
Beirut witnessed large protests over the deal by Hezbollah supporters, who blocked the road to the international airport and attempted to reach the Grand Serail overnight.
Overall, the deal gives Israel everything it asked for — and more. Lebanon would recognize Israel, commit to normalizing relations, and disarm Hezbollah. Only after fulfilling these obligations could Israel, at its discretion, withdraw from some of the areas it currently occupies in southern Lebanon.
As for the promised U.S. financial support, it is not only heavily conditioned but also vaguely defined in the text, meaning Lebanon could ultimately receive very little — or nothing at all.
Given these terms, the deal is likely to face fierce resistance not only from Hezbollah but also from many other Lebanese parties that fundamentally oppose normalization with Israel.
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sounds like the deal the russian oligarchy will get from trump daddy
fuck the clown 🤡 in chief trump.
coward lebanese leadership smh civil war will be on their hands not hezbollah.