On the 27th local time, after reaching a framework agreement with Libya, Israel launched further military attacks in southern Libya. Israel reiterated on that day that it would not withdraw its troops from southern Libya in the short term. Netanyahu also emphasized that Israel actually retains all the ‘security zones’ necessary to defend its northern borders.
Lebanese Hezbollah leader Naim Kasis said that the US-Israel-Lebanon Framework Agreement was invalid on that day. There are also voices within Israel saying that the framework agreement is a "major mistake." Experts say that there are numerous obstacles to implementing the agreement.
On the 26th, Lebanon, Israel, and the United States concluded a four-day new round of ceasefire and troop withdrawal negotiations in Washington, and announced the establishment of a tripartite framework agreement. However, just two days after the agreement was reached, the Israeli military launched another attack against southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanese sources on the 27th, an Israeli drone attacked a intersection in the Nabi Ye area of southern Lebanon on that day. Another Israeli drone dropped a bomb near the Tabnit village in the same area. In addition, the Israeli forces are advancing towards the outskirts of Shuba village in southern Lebanon, using medium and heavy machine guns during their advance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the same day that he had met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and senior Israeli military officials to ensure that the authority to fire at the front line was emphasized as a priority. Over the past two weeks, the Israeli army has killed about 200 Hezbollah militants. In some of these incidents, Hezbollah did not pose a direct threat at close range, but “the Israeli army will fire directly whenever it identifies a potential threat.”
On the 27th local time, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassis condemned the framework agreement reached between the United States, Israel, and Lebanon. He described this as a major mistake committed by the Lebanese government, and Hezbollah considered the agreement invalid.
Kasim accused Lebanese authorities of 'legalizing' Israel's occupation through this 'serious mistake'.
Israel's Minister of National Security Ben-Gurion issued a statement on the 27th, stating that the framework agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and Syria reached through American mediation was a "major mistake." He asked Prime Minister Netanyahu to submit this agreement to the cabinet for official approval.
Ben-Gevir stated that the Lebanese government will not actually disarm Hezbollah, and only the Israel Defense Forces can do so.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference on the 27th, stating that the framework agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon is a “historic achievement”. This agreement has promoted the process of ending bilateral conflicts and has opened up the prospect of achieving a final peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
According to the tripartite framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel and the United States, Israel will withdraw from two areas within the approximately 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) deep ‘safe zones’ established in southern Lebanon. The areas after the withdrawal will be taken over by the Lebanese army. Netanyahu said that as part of the ‘pilot project’ to disarm Hezbollah and transfer territory to the Lebanese government forces, Israel will withdraw from the two small areas it currently controls. One of these areas is completely outside the ‘safe zones’, while the other lies at the edge of the safe zones, areas that Israel no longer needs to control. He stated that Israel actually retains all the ‘safe zones’ necessary to defend its northern borders.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz said on the same day that the framework agreement reached between Israel and Lebanon could create a new, safer reality along the northern border of Israel and in Lebanon for the first time in decades.
Katz said that Israel will maintain its current deployment in Lebanon and will continue to control the ‘safe zone’ south of Lebanon, including the Boefort Highlands. The prerequisite for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon is that Hezbollah must disarm throughout Lebanon. Katz mentioned that he and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have ‘indicated to the Israeli Defense Forces to be prepared to remain in the ‘safe zone’ for an extended period.’
Qin Tian, the deputy director of the Middle East Research Institute at the China Institute of Modern International Relations, said that this tripartite framework agreement appears to be comprehensive and outlines a promising vision for peace between Lebanon and Syria. However, its implementation is very difficult. First, Hezbollah, as one of the main parties involved in the conflict between Lebanon and Syria, does not agree with nor participates in this ceasefire agreement. The essence of the conflict between Lebanon and Syria is a conflict and contradiction between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. This agreement was signed by Israel, the Lebanese government, and the United States, with Hezbollah absent from it. Moreover, Hezbollah has clearly opposed any so-called peace talks between Lebanon and Syria, as well as this tripartite framework agreement. Hezbollah also explicitly opposes any calls for its disarmament. Therefore, it is difficult to truly achieve a ceasefire and truce through an agreement that bypasses the main party involved in the conflict.
Qin Tian also stated that this framework agreement lacks a strong mechanism for implementation or the necessary resources to carry out its provisions. The agreement stipulates the establishment of a military coordination group consisting of the United States, Israel, and Lebanon. However, this group does not have any real military forces to support it. It is obvious that the United States will not send troops to Lebanon to carry out related tasks. As a party to the conflict, it is also unimaginable for Israel to carry out these tasks. For a long time, the international community has relied on the Lebanese government forces as the main force for implementing the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. However, the Lebanese government forces are more like security forces or police units controlled by the Lebanese government. They do not have the power to effectively deter Israel, nor do they have the ability to effectively control Hezbollah in Lebanon. Therefore, this ceasefire agreement actually lacks the necessary resources to be implemented.
Additionally, Qin Tian stated that Israel's attitude towards withdrawing its troops is very negative. This agreement is a significant political issue for Netanyahu. If he withdraws his troops under the current circumstances, he will be seen as weak by the Israeli public and his political opponents. This could be extremely detrimental to his elections in the Israeli parliament this fall. Therefore, it can be expected that Netanyahu will never withdraw his troops from Lebanon in the short term. Without Israel's withdrawal, it will be difficult to achieve a permanent ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
