Netanyahu Hails US‑Brokered Lebanon‑Israel Peace Framework Amid Far‑Right Opposition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the trilateral framework agreement signed on Friday by Lebanon, Israel and the United States, describing it as a historic step toward peace between the two neighbours.

Speaking in a televised briefing, Netanyahu said, “Yesterday we achieved a historic deal for the State of Israel after direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. This is a blow to Iran and Hezbollah.”

The accord, concluded after five rounds of talks in Washington, outlines a trial arrangement for Lebanese soldiers to assume control of two areas currently held by Israel and sets out a process for the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Both parties declare their intention to end the conflict definitively, address its root causes and formally conclude any state of war between them.

The agreement also establishes a mechanism for the Lebanese Armed Forces to restore sovereign authority over all Lebanese territory once Hezbollah’s disarmament is secured.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the deal “a first step” toward restoring his country’s sovereignty.

However, Israel’s far‑right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir condemned the US‑facilitated agreement, arguing that the Lebanese government cannot be trusted to disarm Hezbollah. In a Telegram post he wrote, “The agreement with Lebanon is a big mistake… the state of Lebanon will not disarm Hezbollah. Only IDF soldiers will destroy Hezbollah.”

Hezbollah likewise rejected the framework, calling it “humiliating, shameful and a surrender of sovereignty.” The group declared the agreement null and void and insisted that the provisions of the Iranian‑American memorandum of understanding must be implemented.

Hezbollah’s involvement in the broader Middle East conflict intensified on 2 March, when the group launched rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US‑Israeli strikes. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion that caused extensive damage and left Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon.

Source link