Lebanon , Israel sign US-brokered framework agreement

Lebanon and Israel signed a  framework agreement in Washington on Friday,  June 26, at the conclusion of the fifth round of days of negotiations between the two countries  aimed at ending the  fighting, but both sides described the agreement as a preliminary step

The Lebanese embassy in Washington said in a statement that the framework agreement provides for the implementation of arrangements in two pilot zones, including an Israeli withdrawal from them, the deployment of the army and the disarmament of armed groups not affiliated with the state.

The Lebanese embassy added that "the agreement constitutes a first step towards a gradual and comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from the entire territory of the country to ensure full respect for our sovereignty."

Aoun welcomes agreement and peace reminds of the Taif agreement

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that the framework agreement signed with Israel on Friday under the auspices of the United States is "a first step on the road to restoring Lebanon's sovereignty to its state."

Aoun added in a statement by the Lebanese presidency that the Lebanese negotiating team "has accomplished what we consider a first step on the road to restoring Lebanon's sovereignty over its entire territory, untouched by an atom."

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that the agreement reached with Israel aims to withdraw it from Lebanon and restore the sovereignty of the state.

He added that the state alone is the one who decides on war and peace, indicating that what Lebanon must do in the framework agreement has already been agreed upon by the Lebanese in the Taif Agreement.

Yedioth Ahronoth: No timetable for the implementation of the framework agreement

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted Israeli sources as saying that the framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon does not include a clear timetable for implementation, but it stipulates two experimental areas from which the occupation army will withdraw to replace it, one north of the Litani River and the other south of it.

Israel's Channel 13 quoted senior Israeli officials as saying that the framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon will include the two sides signing a document stating that each country recognizes the other's sovereignty over its territory, and that Israel will not withdraw from the area of Qalaat al-Shukif.

  Israeli Prime Minister  Benjamin Netanyahu said that "the most important thing is that Israel will first remain in the security belt (buffer zone) in southern Lebanon," considering that this is a "great achievement" and that Israel will maintain it "as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed, and as long as there remains a threat to the State of Israel."

Netanyahu added that the deal "also constitutes a major blow to Iran," saying that "Israel, Lebanon and the United States are practically telling Iran: This is none of your business," noting that Israel "constantly maintains the security zone that is beyond the range of anti-armor missiles."

He explained that the agreement also allows the Lebanese army to start deploying and controlling specific areas, pointing out that these areas were selected on the recommendation of the Israeli occupation army.

Rubio: The deal establishes a mechanism to disarm Hezbollah

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the framework agreement with Israel and Lebanon establishes a clear mechanism for restoring Lebanon's sovereignty, disarming Hizbullah and dismantling its infrastructure.

Rubio said in a statement that the agreement allows Israel to return to its borders once the threat to  its citizens has passed, and also establishes a trilateral  military coordination group for Lebanon, facilitated by the United States.

Fadlallah: We will not allow the implementation of the agreement with Israel

MP Hassan Fadlallah, a member of the "Loyalty to the Resistance" bloc, stressed that Hezbollah's opposition to the agreement signed in Washington is "serious" and will not allow the Lebanese Authority to implement its commitments on the ground, considering that what the PA has provided constitutes a "gift to the Israeli enemy" and that "it will not have any effects on the ground."

Fadlallah said in statements to Lebanese media that the Lebanese authority "will not be able to impose its will on the Lebanese people," considering that what happened in Washington is "an attempt to disrupt the path of Islamabad" and that without the resistance, nothing will pass.

Fadlallah denied "the validity of what was broadcast by one of the TV channels and what was circulated by well-known parties, regarding the fact that Lebanon's position in the negotiations was formulated during meetings with General Hassan Choucair and Brigadier General André Rahhal."

Israel drops leaflets on Lebanese town

Lebanese state media reported that Israeli forces threw leaflets at the town of al-Mansouri in the south of the country on Friday to demand that its residents leave, in the first warning of its kind since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect.

A senior Lebanese army  official said Israel had recently annexed the town of al-Mansouri to an area controlled by its forces in southern Lebanon. Farmers are still coming in and out of Mansouri, but they are no longer residing there, he said.

An IDF spokesman said the army issued what it called a "reminder" to the civilian population that "the area is within the security zone where IDF soldiers operate, and it is a reminder to them not to stay in the area so as not to be harmed."