Israel and Lebanon diverge over withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament

Israeli and Lebanese leaders have traded positions on the postwar framework, with Israel's army chief calling disarmament incomplete while Beirut presses for a phased Israeli withdrawal and a security agreement.

• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the tripartite framework is a political negotiation framework, not a legal agreement, and acknowledged that attacks have not stopped and Israel has not fully withdrawn.
• Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the agreement with the Lebanese government is insufficient to disarm Hezbollah and that the army will continue operations to prevent the group rearming.
• Zamir said Israeli forces continue to hold positions inside Lebanese territory, which he described as "advanced defensive positions."
• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told AFP that Lebanon seeks a security agreement ending the state of hostility, with priority on Israeli withdrawal, army deployment on the border, and the return of residents and prisoners.
• Zamir said Hezbollah cannot be disarmed unless the Lebanese army improves its field effectiveness, urging troops to keep readiness to prevent the group rebuilding.
• Aoun said the army is fully performing its duties in the south and called on Arab and European states and the US to support Lebanese forces.
• Aoun reiterated the goal of disarming Hezbollah 'without confrontation' and called direct negotiations with Israel the only way to avoid a new war.