EU welcomes Israel-Lebanon peace framework, pledges support for regional stability

International, Middle East

BRUSSELS, Belgium (NPA) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the peace framework signed between Israel and Lebanon, describing it as a significant step towards de-escalation and long-term stability in the Middle East.

In a statement issued on Saturday, von der Leyen said the agreement marked a critical move away from conflict.

“Because there can be no peace in the Middle East with Lebanon in flames,” she said.

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She thanked the United States for mediating the agreement and stressed that its successful implementation would depend on the disarmament of non-state armed groups and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The EU stands ready to support this path to lasting regional stability, also with the continued delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid, with €100 million mobilised for the displaced,” she said.

Under the Trilateral Framework signed on June 26 by the United States, Israel and Lebanon, the two countries committed to ending decades of conflict, strengthening their sovereignty and security, and working towards peaceful neighbourly relations through direct negotiations with U.S. mediation.

The agreement outlines a phased security process under which the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will gradually assume full security responsibility across Lebanese territory following the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups. As the process progresses, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are expected to redeploy from Lebanese territory under agreed security arrangements and U.S.-backed verification mechanisms.

Lebanon reaffirmed its commitment to restoring the state’s exclusive authority over the use of force, disarming all non-state armed groups, and ensuring that no armed organisation operates outside government control.

Israel, for its part, stated that its military operations in Lebanon had been directed at threats posed by non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah, and reiterated that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.

Both governments affirmed their right to self-defence under the United Nations Charter while agreeing that no third party should exercise that right on their behalf. They also committed to establishing a military coordination group with U.S. participation to oversee implementation of the framework.

The agreement also provides for the creation of working groups to negotiate a comprehensive peace and security treaty, while the United States pledged to mobilise international support for Lebanon’s reconstruction, economic recovery and humanitarian assistance.

In addition, Lebanon and the United States committed to preventing reconstruction funds or financial resources from reaching non-state armed groups, with future U.S. assistance tied to measurable reforms, transparency and verified progress.

The two countries also pledged to refrain from hostile actions in international political and legal forums and to cooperate on the return of detainees and human remains as confidence-building measures, while expressing appreciation to the United States and President Donald Trump’s role for facilitating the end of decades of conflict and promoting lasting regional peace.