Israel, Lebanon reach framework agreement, ceasefire

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Israel and Lebanon had reached a framework agreement aimed at achieving “lasting peace and security.”

The agreement, which came as a result of talks mediated by the United States, calls for the implementation of a ceasefire between the two nations.

That ceasefire is contingent on a complete cessation of fire by the paramilitary group Hezbollah and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from the South Litani Sector, an area in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah was not a party to Friday’s agreement. It is not clear whether the group will abide by any ceasefire.

But an end to hostilities between Israel and Lebanon is considered crucial to obtaining a lasting peace deal between the United States and Iran, which sponsors Hezbollah.

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February. The U.S. has reached a memorandum of understanding with Iran to pause that conflict for at least 60 days while peace talks proceed.

“Today is a good day in that we are happy to announce a framework agreement between the sovereign government of Lebanon and, of course, the government of Israel, with a mediation and support of the United States of America that begins to put in place a framework for lasting peace and security,” Rubio said.

“And that’s what these two nations deserve,” he said.

The State Department, in a statement, said, “The two sides agreed with the guidance of the United States to swiftly advance the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors.”

“These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” the State Department said.”

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