Israel, Lebanon sign framework deal amid deadly strikes and Hezbollah warning

Israel and Lebanon have signed a framework agreement in Washington, D.C., following several days of US-brokered talks aimed at ending the conflict. Lebanese Ambassador Nada Moawad and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter signed the trilateral document at the State Department. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as a "difficult journey" but an "important and an essential and a necessary one." Specific details of the framework deal were not immediately disclosed.

The signing occurred after negotiations were extended for an additional day, with no agreement initially expected Thursday. This development took place amidst ongoing deadly strikes; an Israeli air raid in Mefdoun killed two people and wounded one, according to Lebanon's health ministry, which revised the casualty toll. Another Israeli strike hit the nearby town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah warned that Lebanese authorities would not be able to enforce the agreement without US support for a civil war, stating that Hezbollah would confront any measure taken by Lebanese authorities and would hold on to its weapons. He added that the group's opposition was "serious."