The United States, Israel, and Lebanon signed a Trilateral Framework last Friday aimed at ending decades of on-and-off conflict between the two neighbouring states, marking a notable shift in the Trump administration's diplomatic style. Unlike previous U.S. initiatives — such as the brief Gaza agreement that collapsed before Israeli-Iranian hostilities began in late February — this accord sets out a detailed, step-by-step process under which Lebanon's army would assume security control in the south, Hezbollah (the Iranian-backed Shiite militia that remains Lebanon's most powerful armed faction) would be disarmed and withdrawn, and Israeli forces would carry out a phased pullback from territory they have reoccupied. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that the framework is only the "beginning of the beginning," acknowledging steep obstacles ahead, including a Lebanese army too weak to confront Hezbollah by force and an Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showing little immediate willingness to withdraw ahead of national elections later this year.