Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have shown their support for the U.S.-facilitated framework agreement between Jerusalem and Lebanon. Announced on Friday, this agreement is seen as a positive initial step towards peace and a clear stance against Iranian influence in the region.
This pivotal development has the potential to pave the way for diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Israel, two nations technically still at war. Experts suggest the agreement could weaken Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, which has considerable influence in the Lebanese state.
Since Hezbollah joined forces with Hamas in the invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, and after subsequent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in two major conflicts.
In response to the strikes on Iran, Hezbollah launched long-range missiles from Lebanon, targeting northern Israel within 48 hours, further intensifying the conflict during Operation Epic Fury. (Hadi Mizban/AP)
Rubio stated, “Today marks a significant stride as we are pleased to announce a framework agreement between the sovereign government of Lebanon and the government of Israel, mediated and supported by the United States. This lays the foundation for enduring peace and security.”
He added, “And that’s what these two nations deserve.”
According to the Press Service of Israel (TPS-IL), Netanyahu termed the deal “a severe blow to Iran.” He added that the Islamic Republic seeks to force an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and “essentially Israel, Lebanon and the United States are telling them: This is none of your business. You have no role in southern Lebanon — neither you, nor Hezbollah nor any other terrorist organization.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, wrote on X:” Was there all week but had to fly back to Israel Thursday night. Historic opportunity but key is disarming Hezbollah, evil terrorists who have killed Americans. Israel, Lebanon sign framework peace agreement following US-backed negotiations.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter applaud after signing a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon with State Department Counselor Daniel Holler, and Lebanon’s Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh, at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 26, 2026. (Ken Cedeno/Reuters)
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, in an Arabic-language X Post, thanked the U.S. administration, led by President Donald Trump, “for its efforts in hosting and facilitating the negotiations and for supporting Lebanon’s position.”
Rubio’s optimistic announcement encouraged some veteran Lebanon experts about a historic opportunity for peace, while others warned about the necessity to proceed with caution.
Guila Fakhoury, whose father, Amer, was kidnapped by Hezbollah in 2019, told Fox News Digital that “Today marks a historic achievement. For the first time since 1983, Lebanon and Israel have reached an agreement through direct negotiations. It also represents a fundamental shift in regional dynamics, demonstrating that Lebanon’s future need not be contingent upon broader regional negotiations or arrangements negotiated through proxy influence. In that sense, this agreement supersedes previous efforts to tie Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty to external agendas.”
Fakhoury, added, “If these commitments are fulfilled, this agreement could become the foundation for long-term cooperation, security, economic opportunity and shared stability that benefits both the Lebanese and Israeli people.”
Hezbollah al-Mahdi scouts parade with large portraits of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Khomeini and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during an event for Jerusalem Day in Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, on Aug. 1, 2013. (Hussein Malla/AP Photo)
She continued, “However, whether this agreement brings lasting peace and stability will depend entirely on its implementation. The Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions must be the ones to create stability, not external actors or armed organizations operating outside government authority.”
Walid Phares, a leading U.S. expert on Lebanon and the Mideast, told News Media, “This agreement is just a ceasefire not a conduit to a larger peace deal. Hezbollah take orders from Iran. It’s clear Tehran will complain about such a deal and pressure the negotiators to get some statement from Washington asserting the Islamic Republic’s say over Lebanon. Hezbollah will attack the deal but will pray Israel won’t strike. The Trump administration will have to calibrate between the Rubio-sponsored agreement on Lebanon and the fragility of the situation in the Gulf.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. (Avi Ohayon / GPO)
He added, “The regime is telling Hezbollah ‘keep the narrative up and radical but let us get the money first.’ Israel is giving its public something and mindful of Trump’s concerns about the deal with Iran. The Lebanese government is hoping their army does not have to engage. The only unknown is the ability of the Lebanese opposition to rise and resist Hezbollah. We are still inside the Lebanese status quo.”
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., posted on X following the news that, “Hezbollah savages have American blood on their hands. I applaud President Trump and @SecRubio for forging this important agreement that will restrain Iran’s terrorist proxy. Let me be clear: Tehran has no future in Lebanon.”
Hanin Ghaddar, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, wrote on X: “Absolutely a breakthrough,” This is the first agreement between Israel and Lebanon since 1983. A clear and loud ‘NO’ to Iran as it challenges its efforts to control Lebanon ‘s file.”
She added, “But as the 1983 agreement was toppled by the bad guys then (Assad regime), Iran will try everything to make sure this one fails as well. Lebanon and Israel have a responsibility in making sure this agreement is protected, and its implementation is successful. We will probably not have another chance.”