In a detailed analysis, Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom) argues the new framework agreement with Lebanon weakens Iran and Hezbollah, marks a de facto third peace treaty, establishes a precedent for Israeli security deployments on a neighbor's soil, and effectively dissolves UNIFIL's obstructive role — while crediting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio with advancing the deal over competing administration voices.
Ariel Kahana, diplomatic correspondent for Israel Hayom, published an analysis Monday assessing the strategic significance of the new trilateral framework agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States. Kahana enumerates five distinct political benefits beyond the security dimensions:
First, the agreement reflects a deft Israeli maneuver between different factions in the U.S. administration — Prime Minister Netanyahu and his team advanced the deal through Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio (the text appears to reference both but the source names Rubio), narrowing the influence of Iran, Vice President Vance, and what Kahana calls a 'wretched competing deal.' Second, the framework weakens Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Kahana citing the removal of pro-Iranian imagery from Beirut roads as emblematic. Third, he characterizes the accord as a de facto third peace treaty with an Arab neighbor, noting the Lebanese government's recognition of Israel and the joint celebratory photo including both countries' ambassadors. Fourth, Kahana highlights a historical first: a neighboring state has agreed to an Israeli security presence on its territory to counter terror threats — distinct from the Egypt and Jordan peace deals which involved Israeli territorial withdrawal. Fifth, he declares UNIFIL 'dead,' arguing the UN observer force that obstructed Israeli counter-terror efforts for nearly 50 years is no longer an obstacle.
As The Zioneer has reported (June 26–28), the framework was signed in Washington and retains IDF positions along the Yellow Line pending Hezbollah disarmament. Israeli officials including Minister Eli Cohen and Prime Minister Netanyahu have framed the deal as a blow to Iran. Kahana's analysis, from an Israel Hayom columnist aligned with the political right, consolidates the
Israeli domestic narrative portraying the accord as a significant reversal of the strategic trajectory envisioned by Hamas leader Sinwar and Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei.
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- DevelopingAbu Ali Express: Lebanon-Israel deal is a major strategic achievement for Israel
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