Context
- On 26 June 2026, Israel and Lebanon signed a U.S.-brokered framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending hostilities and advancing a broader political-security settlement.
Israel–Lebanon Framework Agreement
- The agreement seeks to restore Lebanese sovereignty across its territory.
- It supports the Lebanese State’s monopoly over weapons and strengthening of state authority.
- It envisages the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
- The agreement is therefore a framework for de-escalation and further implementation, rather than a final settlement of all bilateral disputes.
Lebanon: Key Geographic Features
- Lebanon lies on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in West Asia.
- It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south.
- The Mediterranean Sea lies to its west.
- Beirut is the capital and an important Mediterranean port.
- Lebanon forms part of the broader Levant region.
Israel: Key Geographic Features
- Israel lies along the eastern Mediterranean coast.
- It shares land borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
- The Mediterranean Sea lies to its west.
- The Dead Sea lies along the Israel/West Bank–Jordan boundary region.
- In the south, Israel reaches the Gulf of Aqaba through the port city of Eilat.
The Levant Region
- The Levant broadly refers to the eastern Mediterranean region of West Asia.
- Its geographical boundaries are not universally fixed.
- It commonly includes Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Jordan.
- Broader definitions may also include Cyprus and parts of southern Turkey.
- Lebanon, Syria and Israel/Palestine have Mediterranean coastlines.
- Jordan has no Mediterranean coastline, but it is not landlocked.
- Jordan has a short coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea, where the port of Aqaba is located.
FAQs
Q1. Which sea lies west of Lebanon and Israel?
The Mediterranean Sea.
Q2. Which countries border Lebanon?
Syria and Israel.
Q3. Which countries share land borders with Israel?
Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
Q4. Does Jordan have access to the sea?
Yes, through the Gulf of Aqaba, which is part of the Red Sea.
Q5. What is the Levant?
It is the eastern Mediterranean region of West Asia, commonly centred on Syria, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine and Jordan.
