Li Yimei reaches a trilateral framework agreement

On June 26, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (Reporter Shi Chun) that Lebanon, Israel, and the United States concluded a new round of ceasefire and troop withdrawal negotiations in the U.S. capital, Washington, after four days, and announced the establishment of a trilateral framework agreement.

The agreement was jointly signed by the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel to the U.S. and U.S. State Department official Dan Hohler. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated at the signing ceremony that "today, we have taken the first step on a difficult journey," adding that "there is still a lot of work to be done in the future."

Rubio issued a statement that the process established by the agreement aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah, while ensuring that Israel can "return to its borders" after the threat is eliminated. According to the agreement, a "trilateral military coordination group" will be established, driven by the U.S., to assist both Lebanon and Israel in implementing the framework. The U.S. Department of Defense will provide over $30 million in funding to support Lebanon in achieving lasting peace. Additionally, the U.S. will coordinate with the United Nations to provide $100 million in humanitarian aid.

According to several Israeli media reports on the 26th, under the agreement, the Israeli military will withdraw from two areas within its approximately 6-mile (about 9.7 kilometers) deep "security zone" established in southern Lebanon, with the vacated areas to be taken over by the Lebanese army.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in a video address that both sides agreed to launch "pilot projects" in two areas to dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure in Lebanon and transfer control of the relevant areas to the Lebanese government forces. Both areas were proposed by the Israeli military, one of which is located south of the Litani River, outside the original "security zone"; the other is a small area within the expanded "security zone" north of the Litani River that the Israeli military believes no longer requires a military presence.

Additionally, according to the U.S. news site Axios, the framework agreement involves the path for Lebanon and Israel to reach a future peace agreement and the measures both sides will take immediately. The media also cited Israeli and U.S. officials stating that U.S. military will cooperate with the Lebanese army to carry out "pilot projects" to verify that there are no Hezbollah forces present in these areas.