Lebanon Demands Israel Withdrawal Timetable as Hezbollah Condemns Deal

Background of the Framework

The June trilateral framework, to which the United States is also a party, involves the disarmament of Hezbollah and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south, where Israel has occupied several areas. The gap between the two sides remains wide. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel will not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed, with Israeli forces currently occupying multiple towns inside the Lebanese border.

Hezbollah's Qassem accused Israel of trying to bind Lebanon to an oversight body controlling the army's deployment and internal operations. He noted that Israel has kept striking homes and demolishing tunnels inside Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, the first designated pilot zone, despite the Lebanese army's presence there.

Casualty Figures and Statements

Lebanese authorities say Israel's attacks since March 2 have killed 4,335 people, wounded 12,277 and displaced more than a million. The Israeli military has continued to occupy Lebanon's southern area, demolishing homes and displacing residents across the territory.

Qassem challenged officials to "name a single achievement from the seven rounds of negotiations." He also asked how officials could accept the "ongoing humiliation of the Lebanese army, exposing it to bombardment and Israeli pressures, instead of acting as its protectors." US Ambassador Issa told reporters that Israeli attacks would stop only once Hezbollah disarms, saying, "If they give up their weapons, everything will stop."

Current Status and Next Steps

The next round of talks is expected to resume in early September, though no official date has been confirmed. With Israel insisting on Hezbollah's disarmament before any withdrawal and Hezbollah rejecting the current framework, the path to an agreement remains uncertain.