Netanyahu says Israel-Lebanon-US framework deal is ‘major blow to Iran’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described a new framework agreement between Israel, Lebanon and the United States as a “major blow to Iran,” saying it excludes Tehran and Hezbollah from Lebanon’s future.
In a video, Netanyahu said Iran was attempting to pressure Israel into withdrawing from southern Lebanon, but that the agreement sent a clear message that Tehran had no role to play.
“Iran is trying to force us to withdraw by force from southern Lebanon, and basically Israel, Lebanon, and the United States are telling them, ‘It is none of your business.’ You have no role in Lebanon, neither you, nor Hezbollah, nor any terrorist organisation,” he said.
Netanyahu said the 14-point framework allows Israeli troops to remain in southern Lebanon for as long as Hezbollah remains armed and continues to pose a threat to Israel.
“We have been conducting negotiations in Washington between representatives of Israel, Lebanon, and the United States, a prolonged negotiation, and today it has borne fruit. The most important thing is, first of all, that Israel remains in the security zone in southern Lebanon. This is a great achievement,” he added.
Under the framework, the Lebanese Armed Forces are expected to “restore effective sovereignty over all Lebanese territory,” while non-state armed groups would be disarmed and their military infrastructure dismantled.
Netanyahu said the agreement would allow the Lebanese army to begin organising its deployment in selected areas.
“We are allowing the Lebanese army to begin organising to take up territory. We are establishing two pilot areas, both recommended by the IDF; one is completely outside the security zone and south of the Litani, and the other is north of the Litani,” he said.
The agreement was signed at the US State Department in Washington on Friday, following four days of talks mediated by the Trump administration. As part of the agreement, Washington pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance, as well as more than $30 million in support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, Viory reports.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
