Israeli Division After Washington Publishes Details of Ceasefire Agreement in Lebanon

SadaNews: The United States announced that Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire following the conclusion of the second and final day of their fourth round of negotiations in Washington. This occurs amid internal Israeli controversy over the agreement and continued Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon, resulting in dozens of casualties, including both dead and wounded.

The U.S. State Department stated that the two parties agreed, under U.S. guidance, to expedite the establishment of experimental areas where the Lebanese armed forces would have exclusive control over the land, excluding all non-governmental parties.

According to the U.S. State Department statement, the ceasefire is "conditional on the complete cessation of hostilities by the Hezbollah group, supported by Iran, and the removal of all its elements from the area south of the Litani River".

It explained that steps to enforce the Lebanese army's control would pave the way towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement with Israel, noting that "the future relationship between Israel and Lebanon should be determined exclusively by the sovereign governments of the two countries".

Washington expressed its rejection of any attempt by any state or non-state actor to hold Lebanon's future hostage, indicating that Israel and Lebanon reaffirmed the absence of any mutual hostile intentions in their relations.

Regarding the unresolved issues between the two parties, the U.S. State Department stated that both sides committed to continue direct negotiations to resolve them and reach a comprehensive agreement.

It revealed that the delegations discussed a security framework based on discussions held at the Pentagon on May 29, emphasizing that the security framework between Lebanon and Israel includes dismantling non-governmental armed groups and preventing their return.

It stated that any agreement to cease hostilities must be concluded directly between the governments of Lebanon and Israel under U.S. sponsorship, announcing its total rejection of any separate or parallel path to the direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

Washington confirmed its intention to support the Lebanese army and enhance its capabilities to enable it to exercise full and effective sovereignty over its territory, adding that Israel confirmed that its security and territorial integrity can only be achieved by dismantling Hezbollah and destroying its infrastructure.

The U.S. State Department stated that Israel insists on direct negotiations under U.S. leadership to resolve outstanding issues and achieve peace.

It added that "Lebanon emphasized mutual respect for international borders and the urgent and complete cessation of hostilities, reaffirming its commitment to the principles of territorial integrity and full sovereignty".

It clarified that Lebanon committed to enhancing its army's capabilities with U.S. support to enforce effective full control over its territory, revealing that Israel and Lebanon agreed to resume negotiations on June 22 to reach a comprehensive agreement.

It stated that the United States agreed to continue facilitating communication between Israel and Lebanon during the transitional period.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the agreement, stating that "the ceasefire with Lebanon is a grave mistake." He added in a post on the X platform, "I learned about the intentions during a short meeting with the Prime Minister, and I therefore request a discussion and vote in the Cabinet on a ceasefire decision."

Ben Gvir continued, "Hezbollah will only grow stronger, and instead of crushing it, Israel accepts its presence. The Prime Minister should have told President Trump: We love you and appreciate you, but Israel is a sovereign and independent state, and it cannot accept strengthening a terrorist organization and its existence on its borders."

Leader of the "Yisrael Beiteinu" party, Avigdor Lieberman, stated that the ceasefire with Lebanon is merely another opportunity for Hezbollah to regroup and bolster its strength, adding in a post on the X platform, "This is not a ceasefire, but a return to the concept that led us to October 7. We need to decide and we must eradicate Hezbollah."

Chairman of the "Blue and White" party, Benny Gantz, described the agreement between Israel and Lebanon as "significant," stating in a post on the X platform, "If implemented (the agreement), it could represent a major political breakthrough in the war against Hezbollah and isolate this terrorist organization."

He added, "This agreement will be tested on the ground, so the Israeli army must remain deployed within Lebanese territory until the agreement is fully executed, and the State of Israel must respond strongly to any violation by Hezbollah, no matter how minor."

In contrast, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Yisrael Katz, attacked the opposition, saying in remarks reported by Channel 12, "They should apologize and acknowledge the significant achievement of the ceasefire agreement and understandings with Lebanon." He added, "While they were attacking the government, it led steps that could lead to a political peace agreement and genuine security for the first time in 50 years."

The Israeli minister stated, "The declaration of principles yesterday between Israel and the Lebanese government is an expression of the reality we imposed in Lebanon", explaining that a demilitarized zone will be created south of the Litani, and that the army will remain in the security zone in Lebanon up to the blue line. He added, "Our army's presence in the security zone includes the Qal'at al-Shuqif area, preventing the return of the residents to it."

Katz clarified that Israel has "the freedom to act with U.S. support to attack Beirut in response to any shooting towards the settlements or Israel," emphasizing that it will continue to target Hezbollah's infrastructure in Lebanon.

These developments come amid ongoing military escalation despite the ceasefire that has been in effect since April 17, with dozens killed and injured in attacks carried out by Tel Aviv in recent hours, while Hezbollah launched a series of operations against the occupation forces.

In the latest field developments, the Israeli army announced that Golani Brigade forces had established operational control over the heights of Shuqif in southern Lebanon, adding that it "monitored two armed elements during the attack on the Shuqif heights, and the Air Force killed the two elements after they were targeted by an Israeli tank".