Trump and Aoun Meet as Israel Tests Lebanon Deal

President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met at the White House this week to reinforce a trilateral framework agreement signed in June between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States. The deal links the redeployment of Israeli troops from occupied Lebanese territories to the disarmament of Hezbollah and the reassertion of Lebanese state control.

Implementation began as a pilot program on Tuesday with the Israel Defense Forces withdrawing from Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to secure the area. During the meeting, Trump pledged support for the Lebanese military and overturned a four-decade ban on U.S. airlines flying to Lebanon. However, the agreement faces significant friction; Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has rejected the deal as "null and void," and residents in Froun and Ghandouriyeh claim Israel has not yet returned territory in those areas.

Violence has persisted despite the framework. On July 24, the Israeli army attacked the town of al-Mansouri and carried out blasts in Majdal Zoun. Additionally, an Israeli strike on an ambulance in Nabatieh al-Fawqa injured two medics, which the Lebanese Health Ministry called a "flagrant violation of international and humanitarian laws and norms." Further implementation talks are scheduled for August 4 in Italy.