Rubio declares Israel-Lebanon framework agreement 'just the beginning'

The signing ceremony in Washington follows intensive negotiations aimed at establishing a new security and political reality on Israel's northern border. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at the event, stated that the Lebanese people deserve to live in security and peace, framing the framework agreement as "only the beginning of the road." The deal comes as Israel continues to manage complex security challenges involving Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter expressed a vision for a transformative peace, stating that the ultimate goal is a "real peace" where both nations live in security and where the sovereignty of both Israel and Lebanon is respected and protected. Leiter notably remarked that the current diplomatic shift suggests that "Iran and Hezbollah are out of the game," referring to the effort to restore Lebanese state authority over areas previously dominated by the Iranian-backed proxy.

Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Maouad echoed the sentiment of restoring national control, describing the agreement as a first step toward reclaiming Lebanese sovereignty. She noted that the framework is intended to ensure a permanent and final cessation of hostilities, which would eventually allow displaced civilians to return to their lands.

While the agreement represents a significant diplomatic milestone, U.S. officials have remained cautious, noting that the framework serves as a guide for future negotiations rather than a final peace treaty. The process continues against the backdrop of the broader "Islamabad Agreement" between the U.S. and Iran, though Rubio has previously emphasized that the Lebanon track remains a distinct sovereign matter.