A security deal between Israel and Lebanon ties Israel's pullout from southern Lebanon to Hezbollah's disarmament, a condition that analysts and politicians consider unattainable. Hezbollah has flatly rejected disarmament, and no Lebanese government has the power to enforce it. Consequently, analysts say Israel has political cover to keep an open-ended military presence in southern Lebanon because Hezbollah is unlikely to disarm.

The U.S. formulated a proposal for Lebanon in partnership with Paris and conveyed it to Lebanese and Hezbollah officials via an unofficial French white paper, according to the Washington Institute. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and French minister for Europe and foreign affairs Stephane Sejourne have visited Beirut repeatedly in recent months. Local and pan-Arab press outlets reported on Beirut’s unenthusiastic response to the U.S.-French proposal.

The deal is viewed by many as not workable. Experts say the disarmament of Hezbollah is unattainable because Lebanon can't enforce it amid sectarian tensions. The agreement restricts Lebanese sovereignty and imposes unmet obligations. Analysts say the deal may maintain a stalemate instead of ending the conflict.

Israel invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired at Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Tehran over the war in Iran, according to Al Arabiya. The agreement may have negative cost-benefit outcomes. Experts predict indefinite IDF presence due to unenforceable disarmament.