Israel, Lebanon Sign Ceasefire Framework: What's In The Deal And What Next For Netanyahu?

Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 18:52 IST

Israel and Lebanon sign US backed framework for border security, Israel to withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon as Hezbollah is disarmed.

Israel and Lebanon have signed a US-backed framework agreement aimed at easing tensions along their shared border, with officials describing it as the first step towards a broader peace deal after months of fighting involving Hezbollah.

The agreement was signed in Washington by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh and US State Department Chief of Staff Dan Holler following several rounds of negotiations mediated by the United States.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the deal “the beginning of the beginning" and cautioned that significant work remains before a lasting peace can be achieved.

“Today is the beginning of the beginning. There’s a lot of work ahead. We don’t, in any way, underestimate the difficulty of the task ahead," Rubio said.

Under the framework, Israel is expected to withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon under a pilot security arrangement. The Lebanese Armed Forces will take control of those areas, with further Israeli withdrawals linked to progress in removing Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh described the agreement as an important milestone towards restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and achieving a permanent end to hostilities.

“The framework is a first step on the road to restoring Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, securing a permanent and final cessation of hostilities," she said.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the ultimate objective is full peace between the two countries.

“The final destination of the framework is peace between the two countries… Iran is out. Hezbollah is out. And the road to peace between Israel and Lebanon is in," Leiter said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue maintaining a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, adding that the agreement also represented “a major blow to Iran."

Hezbollah was not involved in the negotiations and swiftly rejected the agreement. Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah criticised the framework, accusing the Lebanese government of making unilateral concessions that benefit Israel and warning it could deepen divisions within Lebanon.

The latest conflict erupted after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following the Israel-US military campaign against Iran earlier this year. Since then, thousands have been killed in Lebanon, while dozens of Israeli soldiers have died during the fighting.

While officials on all sides acknowledged that major obstacles remain, the framework agreement is being viewed as the most significant diplomatic breakthrough between Israel and Lebanon in years.

News world Israel, Lebanon Sign Ceasefire Framework: What's In The Deal And What Next For Netanyahu?

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