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U.S.-Mediated Framework Signed as Israel Agrees Pullback to Two Pilot Zones

The pact ties further Israeli withdrawal to verified disarmament of Hezbollah with U.S. coordination of Lebanese handovers.

Overview

  • The trilateral framework, which was signed on Friday, commits Israel to pull back from two specific 'pilot' areas in south Lebanon that the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume under U.S. coordination.
  • The agreement conditions any broader Israeli withdrawal on the verified disarmament and dismantling of Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups in those pilot zones.
  • Washington announced a trilateral Military Coordination Group and pledged immediate assistance, including about $100 million in humanitarian aid and more than $30 million to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.
  • Hezbollah and allied politicians rejected the deal, staged protests in Beirut, and exchanges of fire and strikes were reported after the signing, leaving implementation uncertain on the ground.
  • Even with the signature, key operational details remain undisclosed—exact zone boundaries, timelines for handovers, and sequencing of verification—and the success of the plan will depend on LAF capacity, U.S. oversight, and whether local violence subsides.