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Israel and Lebanon ·

Israel–Lebanon–United States Trilateral Framework, 2026

A framework document: a first step towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement that has not yet been drafted; it is not itself a peace treaty, and as of October 2026 Israel and Lebanon have no peace treaty.42

In 30 seconds

On 26 June 2026 the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors signed a framework document in Washington, witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.411 It ties a gradual Israeli army withdrawal to the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups, and provides for a full agreement to be drafted.4 Hezbollah rejected it, and implementation is stalled.171213

Where it stands today

As of 7 October 2026 implementation is stalled: three initial areas were announced in July and none have been added since, a round of talks planned for September was postponed, and the Israeli army holds a strip about 10 kilometres deep in southern Lebanon.710 According to a report in The New Arab citing Lebanese sources, the next round is expected on 20 October 2026 in Tampa, Florida; the date has not been officially confirmed.7

In one sentence

To chart a path from a fragile ceasefire to ending the state of war: a phased Israeli withdrawal in return for verified disarmament of weapons not held by the Lebanese state.

The challenge

On 2 March 2026, after American and Israeli strikes on Iran, Hezbollah fired at Israel; Israel responded with extensive strikes and a ground operation reaching about 10 kilometres north of the Blue Line.1 The 2024 cessation of hostilities did not hold, and a new ceasefire was announced on 16 April.2

Lebanon wanted an end to the fighting and an Israeli withdrawal; Israel insisted on the disarmament of Hezbollah.3

The road there

  1. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumes.1
  2. Washington: direct talks between Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, facilitated by the US.34
  3. The United States announces a 10-day ceasefire; it is extended on 23 April and on 15 May.32
  4. The framework document is signed in Washington.41
  5. The United States announces that the Lebanese army has begun taking over responsibility in three southern localities: Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh.5
  6. Rome: another round of talks ends without agreement on disarming Hezbollah or on further withdrawal.6
  7. A round of talks planned for Rome is postponed to October.7

The people

Mediated
Donald Trump

What was agreed

  • The two countries declare their intention to end the conflict and the state of war between them; this is a statement of intent, not an actual ending.41
  • The Israeli army redeploys out of Lebanese territory in phases, as the Lebanese army takes over security responsibility and confirms that an area has been cleared of armed groups' weapons.4
  • The process begins with two "pilot zones"; further zones are to be set by mutual consent.42
  • Lebanon commits to the complete and verified disarmament of all non-state armed groups.4
  • The United States will support verification; the details were left to a security annex.48
  • Israel declares that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.4
  • International support for rebuilding Lebanon, on condition that it does not reach armed groups.4
  • Working groups will draft a comprehensive peace and security agreement, in direct contacts facilitated by the US.4

Read the document

The geography

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Schematic map of Israel and its neighbours with line typesSYRIALEBANONGolan HeightsDamascusBeirut

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Layers · Legend
  • International boundary agreed in a peace treaty
  • Treaty line with Jordan, “without prejudice to the status” of the territory beyond it
  • 1949 armistice line (“Green Line”) — not an agreed final border
  • “Blue Line” — UN line of withdrawal (2000), not a border
  • Ceasefire / disengagement line with Syria (1974)
  • Other international boundary
  • West Bank and Gaza Strip: permanent status not agreed
  • Golan Heights: held by Israel since 1967; annexation not recognised by the UN
  • UN area of separation (UNDOF)

Classification follows the original research as of 7 Oct 2026. This schematic map is not a legal boundary map or a live update.

  • International boundary agreed in a peace treaty
  • Treaty line with Jordan, “without prejudice to the status” of the territory beyond it
  • 1949 armistice line (“Green Line”) — not an agreed final border
  • “Blue Line” — UN line of withdrawal (2000), not a border
  • Ceasefire / disengagement line with Syria (1974)
  • Other international boundary
  • West Bank and Gaza Strip: permanent status not agreed
  • Golan Heights: held by Israel since 1967; annexation not recognised by the UN
  • UN area of separation (UNDOF)

Schematic map. Lines are approximate and are not a legal determination. Data: Natural Earth (public domain), 1:10m scale; line classification and place names by this site. Lines as of October 2026. Peace map

The hard decisions

  • The document sets no timetable for the Israeli withdrawal; according to AFP, Israel has said it will keep a 10-kilometre security zone as long as Hezbollah is armed.5
  • Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared the document void as far as the organisation is concerned, rejected the link between Israeli withdrawal and disarmament, and accused the government of giving up Lebanese sovereignty.12
  • According to an analysis by David Daoud in the Long War Journal, it is doubtful that the Lebanese army has the capacity or the will to disarm Hezbollah, and Qassem warned that enforcement could lead to civil war.8
  • According to the same analysis, the Israeli government backed the document, while the opposition and residents of the north voiced scepticism.8

Where accounts differ

According to The Lebanese government
The document must be carried out reciprocally and in phases; Israel must stop the strikes and withdraw in parallel with the army's deployment.9
According to The Israeli government
Withdrawal depends on the verified disarmament of Hezbollah; until then a security zone will remain in southern Lebanon.56
According to Hezbollah
The document is void and does not bind the organisation; it will not disarm as long as Israel holds Lebanese territory.17

What was carried out

  • In July 2026 the Lebanese army began taking over responsibility in three southern localities; according to Al Jazeera, in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh the Israeli army withdrew and the Lebanese army deployed.56
  • Direct talks continued: by early August seven rounds had been held, five in Washington and two in Rome.6

What was not

  • No further zones have been set since July; the Israeli army continues to hold a strip of southern Lebanon and to carry out strikes.7910
  • Hezbollah has not been disarmed: the organisation says it will not disarm as long as Israeli forces remain on Lebanese territory.7
  • No comprehensive agreement has been reached: according to the reports, the next round is to deal with military and security matters only.7

What remains open

  • The order of steps: Lebanon demands reciprocity and a phased approach, meaning Israeli withdrawal in parallel with the army's deployment; Israel demands that the Lebanese army secure the ground and dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure there.96
  • UNIFIL is due to end its operations on 31 December 2026; Lebanon has asked the Security Council to reconsider, and it is unclear who will monitor the ground afterwards.107
  • According to The New Arab, the next round is expected a week before the Israeli elections set for 27 October 2026; the situation may change quickly.7

Sources

  1. Research Security Council Report · 2026
    Lebanon, July 2026 Monthly Forecast
  2. Research Security Council Report (What's in Blue) · 15 July 2026
    Lebanon: Consultations on the Implementation of Resolution 1701
  3. Research Security Council Report · 2026
    Lebanon, May 2026 Monthly Forecast
  4. Press The Times of Israel · 26 June 2026
    Full text of Israel-Lebanon framework deal that includes slight IDF pullback (press reproduction of the text; no official copy was located)
  5. Press AFP via Ahram Online · 20 July 2026
    Lebanon army begins taking over southern 'pilot zones': US
  6. Press Al Jazeera · 5 August 2026
    Lebanon and Israel still split over disarming Hezbollah at Rome talks
  7. Press The New Arab · 1 October 2026
    Lebanon-Israel talks to resume in Florida on 20 October: sources
  8. Research FDD's Long War Journal · 13 July 2026
    David Daoud, Analysis: The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement explained
  9. Press The New Arab · 2026
    New Lebanon-Israel talks set for 20 October as Golani Brigade leaves
  10. Press The National · 14 September 2026
    Lebanon urges UN to reconsider 'premature' Unifil withdrawal
  11. Press Axios · 26 June 2026
    Israel-Lebanon framework agreement not opened from the build environment
  12. Press Jewish Telegraphic Agency · 26 June 2026
    Lebanon, Israel sign framework agreement to end hostilities
  13. Research The Washington Institute · 29 June 2026
    14 Points on the 14 Points: Assessing the Israel-Lebanon Framework Agreement