(SeaPRwire) – By: Julian Holbrooke
The US-brokered Israel-Lebanon deal signed in Washington last Friday isn’t a path to peace. It’s a biased agreement that’s already sparked mass protests in Beirut. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected it Saturday, calling it “humiliating, shameful and invalid.” He’s not alone—many Lebanese see the deal as a sellout, crafted by a US administration long aligned with Israel.
Official statements frame the deal as a step toward ending months of fighting. The IDF agrees to gradually withdraw from some Lebanese areas. But Netanyahu’s comment after the signing tells a different story. He said the IDF will stay in Lebanon “as long as required.” This directly contradicts the agreement’s pledge that Israel has “no territorial ambitions.” For Hezbollah, this is a trap: disarm and lose your ability to resist, while Israel keeps its military foothold.
The conflict began in early March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Israeli attacks have since killed over 4200 Lebanese and displaced 1 million, per the Lebanese Health Ministry and UN. Qassem argues linking IDF withdrawal to Hezbollah’s disarmament crosses all red lines. He says it turns Lebanon into a toy in the enemy’s hands. The group fears the deal legitimizes Israeli control over parts of Lebanon, paving the way for long-term occupation or annexation.
Tehran’s peace terms with the US include ending Israeli operations in Lebanon. So this deal could derail those talks, pushing Iran to increase support for Hezbollah. The Lebanese government’s decision to sign without Hezbollah’s input has deepened internal divisions. Hezbollah will likely continue its resistance, leading to more Israeli strikes. The US’s attempt to broker peace has backfired—it’s not addressing the root causes of the conflict, just asking one side to surrender. The region’s balance is shifting toward more tension, not less. This deal won’t end the fighting; it’ll push Hezbollah closer to Iran, which will likely provide more weapons and funding. The Lebanese government will face more pressure from its people, who see the deal as a betrayal. Israel will continue to justify its presence in Lebanon, citing security concerns. The cycle of violence will continue, with no end in sight.
Author bio: Julian Holbrooke, an overseas international relations analyst contributing to major European daily newspapers.