Israel and Lebanon signed an agreement on Friday providing for Israel’s gradual withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army there, while the IDF will remain in designated “security zones.”
The agreement between the two governments was brokered by the United States, while Hezbollah did not participate in the negotiations. The group has rejected the agreement, saying it amounts to a surrender of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF would withdraw from areas north and south of the Litani River and described the agreement as a major victory for Israel, as it allows the Israeli military to remain in large parts of the territory it has occupied in southern Lebanon, provided Hezbollah is not disarmed.
Residents of Beirut held a protest against the agreement their government signed with Israel.
“This is also a major blow to Iran,” he said. “Iran is trying to force us out of southern Lebanon through violence. In practice, Israel, Lebanon and the United States are telling them: this is none of your business.”
At the same time, the United States and Iran agreed to a temporary pause in this weekend’s attacks—the US on Iranian targets, and Iran on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait in the Strait of Hormuz. They also agreed to resume the peace talks that had been suspended.
Sources: CNN, Reuters, Guardian
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