Israel to Return Lebanese Territory Under US-Mediated Security Pact

The United States has established a new diplomatic framework to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon border, moving beyond temporary ceasefires toward a model of mutual security and state sovereignty. Under the strategic direction of Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the initiative aims to disarm Hezbollah and restore full authority to the Lebanese state. This process follows five rounds of negotiations in Washington and a framework agreement signed on June 26.

Israel is now preparing to return several areas under its control to Lebanon, beginning with a pilot zone within a few days. The agreement requires the Lebanese Armed Forces to gradually restore sovereign control over the entire country, while non-state armed groups must dismantle their military infrastructure to facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. The United States Central Command is currently coordinating the transfer of additional areas.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is credited with prioritizing national interests over pressure from extremist forces to end political paralysis and economic crisis. The U.S. intends to expand international cooperation to support the Lebanese government, with further closed-door discussions scheduled to take place in Rome next week. The long-term goal of the initiative is to expand the Abraham Accords, transitioning Israel and Lebanon toward a relationship defined by economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation.