Overview
- Lebanon and Israel formally signed a U.S.-brokered security framework on Friday in Washington that aims to start phased Israeli redeployments from southern Lebanon linked to the verified removal of non-state arms.
- Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem immediately declared the agreement null, called for continued armed resistance, and hundreds of supporters staged protests in Beirut that included road blockades and clashes with security forces.
- The deal calls for initial 'pilot zones' where the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume security as Israeli forces pull back, and it creates a U.S.-led Military Coordination Group to monitor progress, but the security annex and verification criteria have not been made public.
- Violence continued after the signing, with Israeli strikes reported in southern Lebanon including a drone attack near Nabatieh that the Israeli military confirmed, and Israeli officials signaled they may keep forces in a security zone until disarmament is certified.
- Implementation faces major political and practical hurdles because Hezbollah was excluded from talks, Lebanon’s army has limited capacity to confront the group, Iran’s role and a separate Iran–U.S. memorandum complicate incentives, and the agreement could deepen internal divisions and prolong displacement for civilians.