Hezbollah Leader Rejects Framework Agreement
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem on Saturday criticized the framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon a day earlier, raising concerns about its effectiveness. The deal, signed in Washington on Friday without Hezbollah, links Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon to the Iran-backed militant group's disarmament, which Hezbollah rejects.
Several previous ceasefire agreements between Lebanon and Israel since the outbreak of the latest war were never implemented on the ground. In a statement Saturday, Kassem said his group will keep fighting until Israel is forced to leave Lebanon. Hezbollah supporters protested in Beirut following the announcement.
Deal Details Released
The U.S. State Department released details of the deal on Saturday, stating that Lebanon and Israel aim to eventually end the state of war between them that began with Israel's creation in 1948. The deal calls for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon provided Hezbollah disarms. It includes an initial Israeli withdrawal from two small areas, called pilot zones, though their locations were not specified. The Lebanese army will gradually assume full security responsibility over those zones, and future pilot zones for withdrawal will be agreed upon later.
A security annex with details of Lebanese army deployment and Israeli troop redeployments was not made public. Israel stresses that Hezbollah's disarmament throughout Lebanon and additional security measures will eliminate any future need for Israeli military action or presence in Lebanon. The talks were separate from the interim deal signed earlier this month by U.S. and Iranian leaders to end fighting in Iran.
Hezbollah's Rejection and Warnings
Kassem called the agreement a “humiliation” and described linking Israel's withdrawal to Hezbollah's disarmament as a “very dangerous suggestion.” Hezbollah official Hassan Fadlallah warned the deal could result in civil war, as the group will not give up its weapons and will resist any measures by the Lebanese army. Lebanon's top public prosecutor, Judge Ahmed Rami al-Hajj, ordered security agencies to take measures to prevent riots.
Skepticism from Israelis and Lebanese
The deal states that both countries recognize that restoring security in southern Lebanon through Lebanese army deployment, safe return of civilians, and security of Israeli northern communities is essential for long-term stability. Israeli citizen Ronit Belson, visiting Metula near the border, said, “Personally, I don't think it will be lasting because the Lebanese military cannot really stand a chance against Hezbollah.” In Lebanon, opinions were divided. Rabie Sammour of Sidon said, “People just want to rest for good. I support the Lebanese authorities in the decision.” Another Sidon resident, Khaled Ghannoum, said the deal “legitimized Israel's occupation.”
Funds and Reconstruction
In an apparent reference to Iran, which has sent billions of dollars to Hezbollah over four decades, the deal commits Lebanon and the U.S. to preventing funds from flowing to entities affiliated with non-state armed groups and to take legal measures to proscribe their activities. Lebanon explicitly commits to prevent reconstruction funds from flowing to such groups.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese state news agency reported an Israeli drone strike near the southern city of Nabatiyeh and that the Israeli military released three Lebanese and three Syrian workers taken near Ain Arab on Friday.
