Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement on Friday following four days of negotiations in Washington, mediated by the Trump administration, according to Israeli and Lebanese officials who spoke with Axios. The signing marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough, though its implementation faces major hurdles as Hezbollah remains armed and influential in Lebanon.
The framework outlines a path toward a future peace agreement and includes immediate ground-level steps. Two "pilot projects" will launch, in which the Israeli military will withdraw from small occupied areas and the Lebanese army will deploy there instead.
U.S. military officers will work with the Lebanese army on these projects, primarily to verify that areas are free of Hezbollah presence, according to Israeli and U.S. officials. One pilot area lies north of the Litani River, the other to the south, two Israeli officials said.
The Israeli withdrawal, though expected to be limited, would be the first such move since Israel expanded its occupation of southern Lebanon during its war with Iran. The initiative's success hinges on whether Hezbollah can be sidelined from the process.
Critics argue the agreement does not address Hezbollah's military capabilities or political influence, raising questions about whether ground-level changes will be sustainable without a broader disarmament framework.