Israeli official says new framework aims to end conflict and reach peace deal

A senior Israeli political official said that after lengthy negotiations involving the United States, Israel and Lebanon, representatives of the three countries signed a trilateral working framework on Friday night. The official said the framework is intended to lead to future agreements between Israel and Lebanon, with the goal of ending the conflict and reaching a peace arrangement.

According to the official, Israel will keep its security buffer along the yellow line in Lebanon until Hezbollah and the other terrorist groups in Lebanon are disarmed. The official also said the Israel Defense Forces will retain freedom of action throughout the security zone to remove threats of any kind.

The sides also agreed on two adjacent areas near the yellow line, both recommended by the IDF, where a pilot program will be launched for Hezbollah’s disarmament and for transferring control to the Lebanese Army. One area is outside the yellow line and south of the Litani River, and the other is outside the original yellow line and north of the Litani River.