Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the U.S.-brokered framework agreement with Lebanon—reached on Friday, June 27, 2026—as a historic diplomatic achievement. Speaking in a televised press briefing, Netanyahu described the deal as a ‘blow to Iran and Hezbollah,’ emphasizing that it marked the first direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
A Historic Agreement — and Sharp Domestic Criticism
‘We have reached a historic agreement for the State of Israel,’ Netanyahu said, calling the accord a milestone in regional diplomacy. In a follow-up post on X (formerly Twitter), he shared the announcement with his followers, underscoring its significance.
Not all Israeli officials shared the enthusiasm. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir—a far-right politician—dismissed the agreement as a ‘major mistake.’ In a Telegram message posted the day after the deal was signed in Washington, D.C., Ben-Gvir argued that Lebanon’s government cannot be trusted to disarm Hezbollah, pointing to the presence of Hezbollah-affiliated ministers in Beirut’s cabinet. ‘The Lebanese state will not disarm Hezbollah,’ he stated, adding that only Israeli soldiers can destroy the group’s weapons.
International Reaction: Cautious Optimism
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement, calling it a ‘critical step away from escalation’ and stressing that lasting peace in the Middle East is impossible while Lebanon remains engulfed in conflict. In a post on X, she thanked the United States for its mediation role and outlined key next steps: the disarmament of non-state armed groups and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Von der Leyen affirmed the EU’s readiness to support efforts toward sustainable regional stability—a stance reflecting broader international hopes that the deal could help de-escalate tensions along Israel’s northern border.