Hezbollah’s rejection casts doubt on the US mediated security deal, heightening fears of renewed conflict and regional intervention.
On June 27, Hezbollah leader Naim Kasem rejected the security agreement between Lebanon and Israel, brokered by the United States, stating that it is invalid and accusing the Lebanese government of surrendering the country’s sovereignty.
In his statement he described the document as demeaning and shameful, hinting at interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
Key provisions of the agreement and regional reaction
The text of the agreement called for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the southern regions of Lebanon and the deployment of Lebanese army units along the line of demarcation.
It also provided for a mechanism for verified disarmament of Hezbollah and allowances for the temporary presence of Israeli forces in an expanded buffer zone.
Iran endorsed the position, aligning with Hezbollah as a military and political force with significant influence in the region. The United States regards it as a terrorist organization, while the European Union has placed its armed wing on a sanctions list, though not its political wing.
On June 27, the Lebanese state information agency reported an Israeli drone strike near Nabatieh al-Fawqa in the south of the country. Israeli military officials said the target was a person who posed a threat to their forces.
The agreement, signed in Washington on June 26 after five rounds of negotiations, provides for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Lebanon alongside the deployment of the Lebanese Army.
The document outlines the process for moving Hezbollah into a disarmed phase under a verified procedure, which would allow Israeli forces to remain in the expanded buffer zone for a defined period of time.
The latest conflict between Israeli and Lebanese formations began in March after Hezbollah rocket strikes against Israel, in the wake of the death of Iran’s supreme leader as a result of American-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with air strikes and a ground operation in southern Lebanon, where its forces continue to maintain control over part of the territory.
Today, regional dynamics are driving further discussions at the international level and require careful monitoring by regional and global actors to prevent new escalations and support stability in the region.