An agreement has been reached between Israel and Lebanon on a framework deal, with signing expected tonight after all parties approve the declaration of intent, according to Al Jazeera and Israeli journalist Barak Ravid. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the signing; the respective ambassadors to Washington will sign.
After four days of negotiations in Washington, Israel and Lebanon have reached agreement on a framework deal, according to multiple reports Friday evening. Reports from Al Jazeera and Israeli journalist Barak Ravid indicate the deal includes agreement on two initial zones that will serve as a pilot model for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and on the wording of a joint working framework. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the signing ceremony; the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to Washington will sign. The signing is set for tonight after all parties confirm their consent to the declaration of intent.
The thread of this development unfolded rapidly Friday evening: An unconfirmed report from Asharq Al-Awsat (citing Amit Segal) first indicated a nearing deal with a security appendix (version 1). By 19:34 Jerusalem, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported – citing senior Israeli and Lebanese officials – that a framework agreement announcement was expected later today (versions 2 and 3). Shortly thereafter, Israeli officials confirmed the agreement would be signed tonight (version 4). Al Jazeera then reported agreement on a specific 'declaration of intent' (version 5), and finally, a version noting Rubio's presence for the signing was published (version 6). The source quality evolved from a single unattributed report to multiple newsrooms citing named officials.
The talks, which The Zioneer reported on since early June, follow a first day of formal negotiations that concluded on June 24. The negotiations come amid a broader diplomatic context, including reported efforts toward a regional deal involving the U.S., Iran, and Lebanon, as The Zioneer previously reported.
The specific details of the withdrawal timeline and the exact boundaries of the pilot zones have not yet been published. The full text of the framework agreement has not been released, and it remains unclear whether the deal addresses all points of contention, particularly regarding the timeline for full Israeli withdrawal.
13 developments
- DevelopingReport: Lebanon-Israel talks atmosphere improves, US hopes for agreement
- DevelopingIsrael and US reach new understandings on Lebanon front, Israel Hayom reports
- StrongAccording to agreement text, Israel obligated to end war in Lebanon
- StrongAl-Hadath: Israel, Lebanon reach principled agreement on southern Lebanon pilot zones
Source and signal
- Internal intake