Lebanon, Israel, US reach trilateral framework agreement

Lebanon, Israel and the United States announced Friday in Washington that they had reached a trilateral framework agreement.

The framework agreement calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of southern Lebanon, an Israeli official said Friday.

According to the agreement, the Israeli forces will remain deployed in the "security zone" in southern Lebanon, until Hezbollah is disarmed.

The official said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will maintain its freedom of military operation throughout the "security zone" to take action at any time to eliminate any potential security threats.

The official also noted that Israel and Lebanon agreed that Israel forces will gradually withdraw from two areas outside the "security zone", and Lebanese army forces will move in.

Shortly after the signing of the trilateral framework agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video statement Friday evening that the Israeli military will remain in the "security zone" in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah does not disarm.

Lebanon, Israel, US reach trilateral framework agreement

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 320 prisoners of war on Friday in the latest swap between the two sides, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that 160 Russian service members had been returned from territory controlled by Kiev, while 160 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over in return.

According to the ministry, the returned Russian service members are receiving medical and psychological assistance in Belarus before being transferred to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.

The ministry also said the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation that facilitated the exchange.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media that the returned Ukrainians had been held captive since 2022.

Those released include members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service, Zelensky said.

Friday's exchange marked the 76th prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia since 2022, when the conflict between the two countries erupted.

Russia, Ukraine swap 160 prisoners of war each