Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of State have announced that Israel and the government of Lebanon have agreed to a framework agreement for “lasting peace and security” between the two countries.
In a signing ceremony alongside Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, and State Department Chief of Staff Daniel Holler, Secretary Rubio affirmed that the deal is the “first step” in returning Lebanon to an era of coexistence and diversity, as they once had.
The agreement between the two nations does not include the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah. The militia, which has been engaged in offensive action against Israel in southern Lebanon, previously rejected a deal with the nation.
"The people of Israel deserve to live in peace and security. The people of northern Israel, in particular, who have been targeted repeatedly by terrorist attacks launched from the territory of Lebanon, but not by the Lebanese people, not by the Lebanese government, but by an outside actor who has sought to use that territory to target innocent civilians who have been unable to live in these places for a long time," Secretary Rubio stated, addressing Hezbollah’s actions in the matter.
Trump Calls Out Iran For "Foolish Violation" Of Ceasefire
Secretary Rubio’s announcement comes after President Donald Trump accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of committing a “foolish violation” of the Ceasefire agreement with the U.S.
“Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at Ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social, sharing that one of the drones “one of the Drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive Cargo Carrying Ship.”
President Trump confirmed that although the ship was damaged, it was still able to pass through the waterway.
“We knocked down three other Drones,” the President added.
