Israel and Lebanon sign 14-point framework agreement in Washington as Hezbollah rejects disarmament and clashes continue

A phased path to peace

On June 26, after the fifth round of direct negotiations in Washington, Israel and Lebanon signed a 14-point framework agreement that both sides hope will permanently end the state of war. The text, drafted in English and signed in three copies, affirms the right of each country to exist in peace and sovereignty. It sets out a sequential process: the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are to restore effective sovereignty over the entire Lebanese territory, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdraw progressively. Two initial pilot zones have been agreed, one north of the Litani River and one south, where the LAF will assume full security responsibility as the IDF pulls back.

The disarmament condition

The central, and most contested, element of the deal is the requirement for “verified disarmament of non-state armed groups”, a direct reference to Hezbollah. The framework stipulates that all associated infrastructure be dismantled before the IDF completes its withdrawal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement “a hard blow to Iran” and insisted that Israeli troops will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.

The accord undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Hezbollah rejected the accord outright, warning that it is not binding and will be opposed by part of the Lebanese population. Clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters were reported even after the signing ceremony.

Washington’s coordinating role

Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that “much work remains” and stressed that the United States will not merely observe but actively coordinate the implementation. According to Axios, American military officers will be involved in verifying that Hezbollah has no presence in the designated areas. Rubio spoke with both Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to lock in commitment. The agreement was signed by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh, and State Department advisor Dan Holler. A forthcoming Security Annex will detail the exact verification mechanisms and timelines.

There is still a lot of work to do.

Tensions flare in the Strait of Hormuz

Even as the Lebanese accord was being signed, a separate crisis erupted in the Persian Gulf. On Thursday, June 25, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard attacked the container ship Ever Lovely, and the following day launched four attack drones at other commercial vessels. Three drones were shot down; the fourth struck the bridge of a large cargo ship.

This is a crazy violation of our ceasefire agreement.

The United States responded with airstrikes against targets in the Strait area hours later. The IRGC reasserted that passage through Hormuz is only possible via “routes announced by Iran.”

Passage through Hormuz is only possible via routes announced by Iran, as the only law governing this region is still the law of the Islamic Republic and the Revolutionary Guard Navy.

European exposure: Italy’s demining mission

The convergence of the two crises puts Italy in a delicate position. Under the framework of the “coalition of the willing” led by France and the UK, Italy is set to lead naval demining operations in the strait using its advanced Gaeta-class minesweepers. However, the unclear ceasefire and the IRGC’s continued patrols with drones and missile boats make the six-month mission extremely hazardous. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s remarks about the use of Italian bases by U.S. aircraft bombing Iran further raised the risk, putting Italy on the IRGC’s list of enemies. In Lebanon, the paradox is stark: without Hezbollah’s disarmament, the accord cannot be implemented, yet the militia refuses any such step.