Israeli Minister Ben Gvir reacts to US-Lebanon-Israel framework agreement

The framework agreement signed between the US, Lebanon, and Israel has also faced criticism from within the Israeli government. Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated in a post on his social media account that the agreement reached with Lebanon is a major mistake.

Ben Gvir stated that he has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold a vote in the cabinet this evening, adding, "I have been fighting against this agreement for weeks."

Ben Gvir argued that the Lebanese government would fail to disarm Hezbollah and that they could not trust Lebanon on this matter, stating, "Only the Israeli army can deal with Hezbollah."

The framework agreement signed between the US, Lebanon, and Israel

Senior officials from the US, Lebanon, and Israel met in Washington yesterday as part of the fifth round of talks between the parties. Following the meeting, a tripartite framework agreement was signed aimed at Israel handing over certain areas it occupies in Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated that Israel and Lebanon had reached an agreement on a pilot project that envisions the disarmament of Hezbollah and the transfer of control in the region to the Lebanese army.

Netanyahu noted that the administrations in Beirut and Tel Aviv had agreed on two areas proposed by the Israeli military.

It was stated that one of these areas is located outside the military zone known as the so-called "Yellow Line" in southern Lebanon, which starts approximately 10 kilometers north of the border and extends to the south of the Litani River. The other area was reported to be located north of the Litani River.

"Iran and Hezbollah are not in the agreement"

Israel's Ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, who signed the agreement on behalf of Israel, argued that the ultimate goal of the framework is peace between the two countries. Leiter stated, "A true peace where both countries will live in security; a peace where the sovereignty of Israel and Lebanon is respected, protected, and guaranteed. Iran is not in this tripartite framework agreement based on these activities. Hezbollah is not in it. There is a path to peace between Israel and Lebanon."

Hezbollah condemned the agreement

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem strongly condemned the framework agreement signed between the US, Lebanon, and Israel. In his statement, Qassem said that the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran should be taken as the basis instead of the framework agreement, stating, "The framework agreement in Washington is humiliating and shameful; it also means the surrender of sovereignty. This agreement is null and void. The provisions of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding must be implemented."

The Hezbollah leader condemned proposals to condition Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon on the disarmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon, stating, "Linking Israel's withdrawal to the disarmament of the resistance throughout Lebanon is an extremely dangerous proposal that crosses all red lines."

News Source: 12punto