Israel will withdraw from two locations in southern Lebanon under a new agreement reached after four days of negotiations in Washington, marking what officials described as an initial step toward broader talks between the neighboring countries. Get today's headlines by email The agreement, brokered by the United States and signed by representatives of Israel and Lebanon, provides for the transfer of the two sites to the Lebanese Armed Forces as part of a pilot arrangement linked to the existing ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the withdrawals involve one area north of the Litani River and another south of it. He described the move as the removal of Israeli troops from positions the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) "does not need," while stressing that Israel would continue to maintain a military presence in other occupied parts of southern Lebanon. Pilot withdrawal under US-backed dealThe agreement emerged during a fifth round of US-hosted talks aimed at encouraging wider cooperation between Israel and Lebanon, two countries that have never established diplomatic relations. A senior Israeli official said the trilateral agreement between Israel, Lebanon and the United States would create the conditions for a "future agreement" as efforts continue toward a broader peace arrangement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that significant challenges remain but described the signing as an important milestone. "Today is the beginning of the beginning," Rubio said during the signing ceremony. He added that while difficult negotiations lie ahead, the United States was honored to help facilitate the process. Lebanon's ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, called the agreement the "first step on the road to restoring Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity." Lebanon welcomes agreementUnder the arrangement, the Lebanese Armed Forces will deploy to the two locations vacated by Israeli troops. The pilot programme forms part of the latest ceasefire agreement between the two countries. The announcement follows earlier indications that Israel was considering limited withdrawals from occupied territory in southern Lebanon as a goodwill gesture during negotiations. On Thursday, the IDF said it would temporarily reduce its troop levels in Lebanon but did not mention relinquishing territory. A day earlier, Israel's defence minister had stated that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon even if the United States requested their withdrawal. Netanyahu links deal to HezbollahNetanyahu portrayed the agreement as beneficial for Israel, saying it allows Israeli forces to remain in much of the territory they currently occupy until Hezbollah is disarmed. He also described the agreement as a setback for Iran, accusing Tehran of attempting to pressure Israel into withdrawing from southern Lebanon through force. Following the signing, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun thanked the Trump administration for hosting the negotiations. He said the agreement would allow Lebanese citizens to return to "their fully liberated land" under the exclusive sovereignty of the Lebanese state, in an apparent reference to Hezbollah's influence, which is backed by Iran. Hezbollah, however, strongly rejected the talks. Hassan Fadallah, a member of the group's parliamentary bloc, condemned direct negotiations with Israel and urged the Lebanese government to reverse its decisions. Speaking to the pro-Hezbollah Al-Mayadeen television channel, he said anyone who "shakes hands with the enemy is a criminal like them." Rubio said both Lebanese and Israeli citizens had endured decades of conflict and deserved to live in peace and security, while cautioning that achieving lasting progress would require considerable further work. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 27 June 2026
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