CENTCOM Commander holds talks in Israel and Lebanon on Washington framework; Katz says no withdrawal without Hezbollah disarmament

Diplomatic Mission and Security Conditions

Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of USCENTCOM, met with senior civilian and military leaders in both Israel and Lebanon to discuss the implementation of the Washington framework agreement signed last Friday. In Lebanon, Cooper held talks with President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal. During his visit to Israel, Cooper also met with Defense Minister Israel Katz and visited deployed U.S. troops.

Defense Minister Katz emphasized a firm security stance following these discussions, stating that Israel and CENTCOM have reached an understanding regarding the security zones. According to Katz, there will be no further IDF withdrawals from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza beyond the two pilot areas in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed. This position underscores Israel's insistence on tangible security guarantees before relinquishing territorial control gained during the conflict.

U.S. Involvement and Regional Dialogue

According to a report by The Washington Post, the U.S. is considering a significant shift in its regional role by preparing plans for ground troop deployment to Lebanon. These forces would reportedly monitor both the IDF and the LAF to support the disarmament of Hezbollah as called for in the latest agreement.

Simultaneously, CENTCOM is fostering broader regional cooperation. On July 1, the Bahrain Defense Force hosted a U.S.-led regional security dialogue that included military leaders from across the Middle East. Notably, this marked the first time representatives from Syria and Lebanon participated in such a U.S.-led defense conference, focusing on regional stability and the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.

Gaza Front: Targeted Elimination

While diplomatic efforts continue in the north, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed the elimination of Adel Jihad Mohammad Asfour, a Hamas platoon commander, in an airstrike in southern Gaza. Asfour was identified as a key operative in Hamas' military wing responsible for sniper and explosive attacks against Israeli forces. The IDF stated that Asfour was actively working to rebuild Hamas' operational capabilities and was planning imminent attacks against troops at the time of his elimination.