A senior Israeli political official says the tripartite framework signed Friday by Israel, the United States, and Lebanon aims to end the conflict and achieve a peace agreement. The official stated that Israel will maintain its security zone along the Yellow Line until Hezbollah and other terror groups are disarmed, and that IDF freedom of action within the zone will be preserved. Two pilot areas for Hezbollah disarmament and handover to the Lebanese army have been agreed upon — one south of the Litani and one north of it, according to the official.
A senior Israeli political official said Friday evening that the tripartite framework signed by Israel, the United States, and Lebanon aims to end the conflict between Israel and Lebanon and reach a peace agreement. The official stated that Israel will maintain its security zone along the Yellow Line in Lebanon until Hezbollah and other terror groups there are disarmed. He added that the IDF will retain full freedom of military action within the security zone to remove any threats. The official also said that Israel and Lebanon agreed on two pilot areas adjacent to the Yellow Line, recommended by the IDF, where Hezbollah would be disarmed and the territory handed over to the Lebanese army: one area south of the Litani River and outside the Yellow Line, and a second north of the Litani.
As The Zioneer reported at 20:49, a senior official described the framework as a "major achievement" for Israel that rejects Iran's attempt to impose an unconditional withdrawal from southern Lebanon. An earlier bulletin at 20:46 cited the same official stating that Israel will keep the security zone until disarmament. The framework, signed by representatives of the three countries, establishes a security zone along the Yellow Line and outlines pilot areas for Hezbollah's disarmament, with the stated goal of achieving a final peace settlement.
The Zioneer earlier reported on background items: on June 19 a Gulf diplomat confirmed a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel after Qatar, U.S., and Iran mediation, and on June 15 Hezbollah endorsed a reported U.S.-Iran agreement. The context also includes reports from June 17 in which Lebanon's Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab detailed a plan for Hezbollah disarmament.
What remains open: the official's remarks are not yet independently corroborated by a second source. The specific location, timeline, and verification mechanism for the two pilot disarmament zones have not been detailed. The tripartite framework's text has not been publicly released, and the status of Israel's security zone after disarmament is complete remains undefined.
7 developments
- DevelopingAnalysis: Iran leverage limits IDF freedom in Lebanon as Hezbollah is seen rebuilding
- StrongUnverified report claims US, Lebanon sign deal recognizing Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingIsrael-Lebanon framework text implies gradual IDF withdrawal only after Hezbollah disarmament
- DevelopingHezbollah-linked outlet: Iran secured US final approval for Lebanon's inclusion in wide deal
Source and signal
- Internal intake