Israel, Lebanon, and the United States signed a framework agreement and security annex on Friday intended to push the Iran-backed group Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon and create conditions for future cooperation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praising the deal as a major success, addressed the enforcement of a new security zone, stating that his government is preventing both Hezbollah and civilians from entering that area and emphasizing that Israel prioritizes its own safety. Under the accord, Hezbollah would withdraw from designated pilot zones, which would then transfer from Israeli military control to Lebanese troops in a phased process. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the signing an important initial step toward lasting peace. The agreement matters because it represents a rare diplomatic breakthrough between the two neighboring countries after years of cross-border conflict.