Israel-Lebanon framework links pullout to Hezbollah disarmament, amid skepticism

A US-brokered framework between Israel and Lebanon sets a sequenced path for Lebanon to regain sovereign control and for Hezbollah disarmament to be verified, but it does not mandate an immediate Israeli withdrawal. It envisions two pilot zones where the Lebanese army would assume security duties as Israel gradually redeploys, with displaced civilians allowed to return under Lebanese control. Hezbollah rejected the framework and warned it threatens Lebanon’s sovereignty, while analysts doubt success without Hezbollah’s buy-in. The deal contrasts with the Islamabad MOU and faces major hurdles, including Iran’s reaction and questions about enforcement and long-term compliance.