Israel and Lebanon have finalized and signed a framework agreement detailing the partial withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from southern Lebanon. Under the terms of the agreement, Israeli troops will withdraw from two specific sectors within the nearly 10-kilometer buffer zone. These areas will subsequently be occupied by members of the Lebanese armed forces.
The Israeli side asserts that these zones have been cleared of Hezbollah infrastructure, a process that, according to Israeli reports, included the destruction of Lebanese villages near the border, which the IDF claims were used for planning attacks against Israel. The framework agreement was reached following the fifth round of US-brokered negotiations in Washington. While the United States pressured both nations to conclude talks by Thursday, narrowing differences required additional time.
Both Israel and Lebanon entered the talks dissatisfied with a separate US memorandum of understanding signed with Iran concerning Lebanon. Both capitals argued that this external deal undermined key aspects of the direct negotiations organized to limit Iranian influence in Lebanon. Sources indicated that the US actions initially prompted the Israeli delegation to adopt a firmer negotiating stance, limiting the areas of withdrawal.
Conversely, Lebanon sought to strengthen its position to counter any perception of disproportionate Iranian influence within its territory. Consequently, Lebanese negotiators initially presented withdrawal maps suggesting a broader scope than what the Israeli government was prepared to accept amid internal political pressures. Ultimately, the signed agreement represents a negotiated settlement between the two nations regarding the future deployment of forces in the region.
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