27/06/2026 16:52 - Internacionales
Lebanon and Israel signed a 14-point framework agreement on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Washington, designed to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. However, legal experts warn the text could prevent victims of alleged Israeli war crimes from seeking justice in national and international courts.
Article 13 of the agreement states that both parties "shall cease all hostile or negative actions in international political or legal forums" to establish good faith between the two nations. The broad and vague wording has raised concerns among human rights defenders.
Farouk al-Moghrabi, former advisor to the Ministry of Human Rights who helped draft a law granting ICC jurisdiction in Lebanon, was blunt:
"This will kill any hope of granting jurisdiction to the ICC, and even any hope of a UN investigation mission."
He added that the law would also end internal efforts to investigate and document crimes.
Nizar Saghieh, lawyer and director of Legal Agenda (a Lebanese NGO), stated:
"The government is normalizing crime and renouncing its rights to guarantee any investigation or prosecution of these crimes, or even to assist victims in their pursuit of justice."
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas, triggering two Israeli invasions of southern Lebanon and extensive bombing campaigns.
| Data | Figure |
|---|---|
| Killed in Lebanon by Israeli attacks | Over 8,000 |
| Journalists killed | Over 12 |
| Rescue workers killed | Over 300 |
| Israeli civilians killed | At least 49 |
| Israeli soldiers killed | Dozens |
Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's leader, rejected the Washington agreement, calling it a "humiliation". The group has consistently urged the Lebanese government to halt direct negotiations with Israel.
The Lebanon National Human Rights Commission issued a statement emphasizing that no agreement should prevent victims from seeking justice:
"The Commission emphasizes that prosecuting perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and torture does not constitute a hostile act or political stance, but rather a legitimate exercise of the right to justice."
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
Israel and the United States have launched an aggressive campaign against the ICC in response, including U.S. sanctions against judges of the international tribunal.
The Lebanese government had not granted ICC jurisdiction until now due to initial Hezbollah resistance and potential U.S. sanctions. Friday's framework agreement would represent another obstacle to accountability in the country.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
