Middle East Crisis Israel-Hezbollah

Lebanon and Israel reach agreement after US mediation

Lebanon, Israel and the US have signed a framework agreement that will lead to peace. This is reported by AFP.

The US has acted as a mediator between Israel and Lebanon during four days of negotiations, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"A historic agreement that paves the way for a greater, broader and more lasting peace between these two countries," writes Al Jazeera analyst Manuel Rapalo.

Marco Rubio also expresses it as a "first step" towards peace, according to AP.

According to the agreement, Israel is to withdraw from two pilot areas, first one north of the Litani River, and then one south of the Litani River, writes CNN. They are to be replaced by Lebanese forces, who are to disarm Hezbollah under US supervision.

According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli military will remain in most of the "buffer zone" set up in southern Lebanon to protect itself from shelling by Hezbollah, according to Haaretz.

Rubio: Millions and Military Coordination for Lebanon

The United States will engage "fully" in implementing the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. This was stated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the three parties signed the agreement, according to Reuters.

During the process that will lead to the total disarmament of Hezbollah and a complete Israeli withdrawal, the United States will provide $100 million – almost one billion kronor – in humanitarian aid.

The United States will also strengthen the Lebanese army with $30 million, and a "trilateral military coordination" will be created under US coordination, Rubio said.  

Hezbollah politician: “Agreement impossible without civil war”

The agreement that Lebanon has concluded with Israel will be impossible to implement without a Lebanese civil war. This is what Hassan Fadlallah, a member of parliament for Hezbollah's political, non-terrorist wing, says, according to AFP.

"The government cannot possibly implement the agreement unless they, with the help of the United States, start a civil war," says Fadlallah.

According to him, the agreement involves Lebanese concessions that only benefit Israel, writes Al Jazeera. His party is against all direct negotiations with Israel.

Al Jazeera's Ronnie Chatah says in an analysis that he does not expect any real peace precisely because the military would sooner or later be forced into direct confrontation with Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun believes that the agreement is a first step towards restoring sovereignty.

"There is an end to occupation, prisoners, subordination and guardianship," he says, according to AFP.