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Key Points from the US-Lebanon-Israel Agreement

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others watch, seated from left, Israel's Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, counselor Dan Holler, and Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, at the State Department, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others watch, seated from left, Israel's Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, counselor Dan Holler, and Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, at the State Department, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
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Key Points from the US-Lebanon-Israel Agreement

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others watch, seated from left, Israel's Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, counselor Dan Holler, and Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, at the State Department, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others watch, seated from left, Israel's Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, counselor Dan Holler, and Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, at the State Department, Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP)

Washington on Friday released text of a trilateral framework between Lebanon, Israel and the United States aimed at ending hostilities that have been a violent second front of the Middle East war.

The following are highlights of the 14-point agreement signed in the US capital:

- 'Lasting peace' -

Israel and Lebanon, with US support, "affirm their shared goal of achieving lasting peace and security," the agreement begins.

The neighboring states "declare their intent to conclusively end the conflict, address its underlying causes, and to therewith formally conclude any state of war between them."

- 'Verified disarmament' -

The framework determines to make "irreversible progress" towards resolving all issues between Israel and Lebanon, while doing so is to be achieved through "direct bilateral talks, with the mediation and support of the United States."

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) "will restore effective sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, pending the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups and dismantlement of associated infrastructure."

This will enable the Israel army to "progressively redeploy out of the Lebanese territory."

The framework will set out the steps and verification mechanisms to advance this process.

- Pilot zones -

The LAF will "gradually assume full and effective security responsibility in pilot zones, which will serve as the mechanism for phased and verified redeployments of the Israeli army and the deployments of the LAF."

Two initial zones have been agreed to by both sides, and future pilot zones will be agreed by mutual consent.

Upon confirmation of the disarmament of non-state armed groups, notably the Iran-backed Hezbollah, the LAF will assume full security responsibility in these zones.

"Internationally supported reconstruction efforts will begin, and Lebanese civilians will be able to safely return to these areas under the exclusive control of Lebanese state authorities," the agreement states. "The United States intends to work closely with both countries to verify and support this process."

- Working groups -

Lebanon's government under the deal reaffirms its commitment to restoring full sovereignty over its territory.

It will "rebuild the State's monopoly on the use of force, achieve the complete and verified disarmament of all non-state armed groups, and ensure that such groups will have no military or security role and no armed capabilities anywhere in Lebanon."

Lebanon asks for the support of international and particularly Arab partners, under the leadership of the United States, to do this.

Israel and Lebanon also are to establish "working groups to draft the full comprehensive peace and security agreement" between them, the framework says, and "immediately establish complementary tracks of ongoing direct engagement, facilitated by the United States."

- 'No territorial ambitions' -

Israel for its part states that its military actions in Lebanon "are solely a consequence of the attacks, threat posed by, and hostile intent of non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah."

"Termination of this threat," notably through disarmament of such non-state groups and "additional security arrangements to be agreed upon between the two countries," will eliminate any future necessity for Israeli military action or presence in Lebanon, it said.

It also stressed that "the Government of Israel declares that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon."

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Arab World

Abbas Calls Palestinian Presidential, Legislative Elections for September 2027

 A sign promoting Palestinian legislative elections on a road near the West Bank city of Jenin (File photo: EPA). 
 A sign promoting Palestinian legislative elections on a road near the West Bank city of Jenin (File photo: EPA). 
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Abbas Calls Palestinian Presidential, Legislative Elections for September 2027

 A sign promoting Palestinian legislative elections on a road near the West Bank city of Jenin (File photo: EPA). 
 A sign promoting Palestinian legislative elections on a road near the West Bank city of Jenin (File photo: EPA). 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree calling for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on Sept. 11, 2027, canceling a legislative vote scheduled for Nov. 28, 2026, after his Fatah movement and other Palestinian factions agreed to postpone it.

The widely anticipated decision sets a new date for Palestinians to elect both their president and lawmakers amid concerns over Israeli restrictions and the security situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

The decree calls on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip to participate in free, direct presidential and legislative elections to choose the president of the State of Palestine and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, in accordance with the law.

Abbas had previously issued decrees calling for legislative elections on two occasions, most recently scheduling them for November 2026, before canceling the plans.

An informed source told Asharq Al-Awsat that setting a firm date for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections was intended to demonstrate the Palestinian leadership’s commitment to holding the vote and reassure France and the international community that it would proceed with renewing the legitimacy of Palestinian institutions.

The decision followed a recommendation by the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to revoke Decree No. 4 of 2026, which had called for legislative elections in November.

At a meeting Saturday, the PLO Executive Committee approved moving the legislative vote to September 2027 to coincide with the presidential election.

It attributed the decision to national consultations with Palestinian factions and political forces, which had produced a consensus on the obstacles posed by Israeli measures to holding elections on the original date.

The committee also cited the need to establish suitable political, security and on-the-ground conditions to ensure free, fair and comprehensive elections.

In a statement, the committee argued that circumstances had changed substantially since the election date was announced several months earlier, following successful elections for trade unions, professional associations, and local authorities.

It pointed to the failure to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, the absence of international stabilization forces and Palestinian police in Gaza, and the continued presence of Israeli troops in the territory.

The committee also cited ongoing attacks, insecurity and restrictions preventing the Central Elections Commission and local and international observers from entering Gaza.

These conditions, it maintained, made it impossible to establish an environment conducive to elections or guarantee the safety of voters, candidates and election workers.

The committee further warned that what it described as catastrophic conditions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, posed serious obstacles to holding the vote.

It accused Israeli settlers of carrying out daily attacks, including burning homes, uprooting olive trees and stealing crops and livestock, under the protection of Israeli forces.

The statement also condemned what it called the Israeli government’s continued expansion of settlements, seizure of Palestinian land, demolition of homes and attacks on Muslim and Christian holy sites.

It cited checkpoints, movement restrictions, pressure on the Palestinian economy and the withholding of Palestinian funds totaling nearly $7 billion as additional obstacles.

Despite the postponement, the PLO Executive Committee reaffirmed its commitment to holding elections with the participation of all Palestinians in the State of Palestine, including those in Gaza and East Jerusalem.

It stressed that the vote must be conducted safely and fairly, with international observers present, free from Israeli obstruction, while preserving the unity of Palestinian territory, people and institutions.

Arab World

Yemen Offensive Intensifies as Military Reports 2,750 Strikes in 24 Hours

Soldiers from Yemen’s pro-government Giants Brigades during their campaign against the Houthis near Bab al-Mandab (AP). 
Soldiers from Yemen’s pro-government Giants Brigades during their campaign against the Houthis near Bab al-Mandab (AP). 
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Yemen Offensive Intensifies as Military Reports 2,750 Strikes in 24 Hours

Soldiers from Yemen’s pro-government Giants Brigades during their campaign against the Houthis near Bab al-Mandab (AP). 
Soldiers from Yemen’s pro-government Giants Brigades during their campaign against the Houthis near Bab al-Mandab (AP). 

Yemeni government forces pressed their offensive against the Houthis on Saturday, advancing along the western coast and in Marib as the military reported more than 2,750 precision targeting operations in 24 hours.

The sixth day of Operation Dawn of Yemen saw intensified airstrikes on Houthi positions and weapons facilities, while troops sought to eliminate remaining pockets of resistance around the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.

The Southern Giants Brigades repelled a Houthi attack north of Dhubab airport, inflicting casualties and equipment losses on the group’s fighters, according to military reports.

Warplanes from the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen also struck reinforcements dispatched by the Houthis to strengthen their positions and support fighters trapped in the area.

The clashes followed a major operation aimed at recapturing the remaining parts of Bab al-Mandab and its islands, where hundreds of Houthi fighters were believed to be holding out in scattered pockets behind minefields and trenches.

Military units continued clearing operations and dismantling fortifications, seeking to consolidate control over recaptured territory while preventing the group from breaking the encirclement of its fighters.

Strikes deep inside Houthi territory

Yemen’s military announced that it had conducted more than 2,750 precision targeting operations over the previous 24 hours, hitting fortifications, defensive positions, observation and reconnaissance posts, artillery positions, weapons and ammunition depots, supply warehouses and military reinforcements across multiple fronts.

Armed forces spokesperson Col. Majed al-Nuzaili reported that the campaign also struck what he described as legitimate, high-value military targets deep inside Houthi-controlled territory.

Preliminary battlefield assessments indicated that more than 1,400 Houthi fighters had been neutralized and over 250 combat vehicles and other pieces of military equipment destroyed or disabled, he added.

According to Nuzaili, the losses had weakened the group’s ability to maneuver, provide battlefield support and sustain combat operations.

He also reported that ground forces had breached Houthi defenses, recaptured strategically important elevated positions and consolidated their gains while continuing the offensive according to established military plans.

Separately, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced the destruction of 136 military targets in a large-scale operation against Houthi fighters and military capabilities in areas under the group’s control.

Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the campaign aimed to dismantle and destroy the Houthis’ ballistic missile network, reaffirming that coalition aircraft would continue providing round-the-clock support to Yemeni military units.

Heavy fighting in Marib

In Marib province, east of Sanaa, government forces and Popular Resistance fighters maintained operations along the front lines, launching attacks on Houthi positions in the southern sectors.

The forces captured several positions after breaching fortifications and clearing minefields planted by the group.

The Yemeni Armed Forces Media Center reported Houthi casualties and equipment losses as government troops pressed their offensive on the northern and northwestern fronts. Surveillance and reconnaissance operations also continued to monitor Houthi movements and reinforcements.

According to the center, manned and unmanned aircraft, artillery and rocket launchers targeted Houthi positions, troop concentrations, command centers, weapons depots, firing positions and drone operating sites along the front lines and in areas under the group’s control.

The center reported that dozens of Houthi fighters had been killed or wounded in the clashes.

It also confirmed the deaths of 22 members of the armed forces and Popular Resistance, with others wounded.

Battle to restore state authority

Against the backdrop of the fighting, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council member Abdulrahman al-Mahrami praised government forces for their resilience and battlefield performance.

He described the clashes as part of a broader struggle to restore the state and its institutions and confront what he called the Iran-backed Houthi project.

In a Facebook post addressing troops stationed along the western coast, in Bab al-Mandab and on other fronts, Mahrami urged them to maintain their resolve until the campaign achieved its objectives.

He also commended their role in confronting the Houthis and protecting regional security.

Mahrami also renewed his appreciation for the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy, stressing that Yemeni forces and their coalition partners were fighting a common battle and sharing its burdens and sacrifices.

Arab World

UN Yemen Envoy: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Threaten Regional Security

UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)
UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)
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UN Yemen Envoy: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Threaten Regional Security

UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)
UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said Sunday that the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are a dangerous escalation that pose a grave threat to regional security, prolong the cycle of violence and further complicate peace efforts in Yemen.

He denounced the group’s continued attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, that killed 12 people and wounded 309 others.

The UN envoy said the attack followed strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports earlier this week that also caused civilian deaths and injuries.

In a statement, Grundberg called on the Houthis to halt the attacks and renewed his call for respect for international humanitarian law, including the ban on attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.