Israel, Lebanon and the US reached an unprecedented diplomatic-security agreement Wednesday, under which initial steps to implement the ceasefire in southern Lebanon will begin in the coming days. As part of the understandings, "pilot" zones will be established where the Lebanese Army will deploy and prevent Hezbollah from returning to the area, while talks between the sides continue in Washington under US mediation.
Under the agreement, Israeli and Lebanese teams will identify in the coming days the first areas where the plan will be implemented. Lebanese Army forces will be given exclusive control in those areas and will work to remove any armed elements that are not part of state institutions.
Israel is aware of the difficulties expected in implementing the understandings, as well as the anticipated opposition from Hezbollah and Iran, but hopes the move will strengthen Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in the face of Hezbollah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
In a statement issued by the US on behalf of the three countries, it was stated that the ceasefire is conditional on a complete halt to fire by Hezbollah and the evacuation of all its operatives from south of the Litani River. It was further agreed that pilot zones would be established in which the Lebanese Army would be the only security force on the ground.
The statement also included direct criticism of Iran. The three countries stressed that Lebanon's future would be determined only by the Lebanese government and the Israeli government, and rejected any attempt by state or non-state actors to influence the country's future.
It was also stated that Israel and Lebanon were committed to continuing direct negotiations, building trust and moving toward a broader security agreement and even a wider diplomatic agreement. However, Israel made clear that any further progress depended on Hezbollah's disarmament and the elimination of the organization's military infrastructure throughout Lebanon.
The US pledged to continue strengthening the Lebanese Army to enable it to exercise full sovereignty throughout the country. At the same time, Lebanon undertook to expand the control of its forces and prevent the return of armed militias to areas placed under its responsibility.
Israel's Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said at the end of the round of talks, "America, Israel and Lebanon are united in their desire to prevent Iran from entering the equation. The Iranians want to continue spreading destruction and chaos in the Middle East, but here there is cooperation designed to prevent that."
