Lebanon Says US Framework Aims for Full Israeli Withdrawal as Washington Pledges Aid

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Friday evening, shortly after the signing of an agreement in Washington, that the framework reached with Israel “aspires to achieve an Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, and the restoration of the state’s sovereignty.” The deal is being presented in Lebanon as both a political and security arrangement and, importantly, as an economic boost.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the signing that Washington will provide Lebanon with $130 million. He said the United States “salutes the courage of the two governments” for taking a step to break the cycle of violence, and promised continued American involvement. Rubio said the package includes “immediate humanitarian assistance” of $100 million, coordinated with the UN, and more than $30 million to strengthen the Lebanese army under existing authorities and appropriations.

According to commentator Ron Ben-Yishai, the economic incentive is one of the agreement’s biggest advantages for Lebanon, even if the country still needs billions for reconstruction. The framework also creates a three-way military coordination mechanism involving Israel, Lebanon, and the United States to help implement the deal. Rubio said the agreement establishes a clear process for restoring Lebanese sovereignty, disarming Hezbollah, dismantling its terror infrastructure, and allowing Israel to return to its borders once the threat to its citizens is removed.

At the same time, the report says no one expects the Lebanese army to actually move against Hezbollah, even with US support. The army is described as weak, and its chief is not interested in confrontation with the militant group. The article also notes that Hezbollah has already said it is not bound by the agreement. For Israel, the deal now appears likely to require approval from the cabinet, or possibly the government, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously said he would bring any formal ceasefire arrangement for approval.