Will Israel Match the “Equal Handshake”?

U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack has announced plans to discuss a long-term ceasefire with Israel following Lebanon’s cabinet approval of a U.S.-backed proposal to disarm Hezbollah—a move he says now requires reciprocal action from Israel.

At a Glance

Lebanon’s cabinet approved a U.S.-backed road map to disarm Hezbollah
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack called on Israel to halt operations and withdraw
Hezbollah has warned of retaliation if disarmament proceeds without Israeli compliance
Lebanese leaders promote state authority and reconstruction
Plan includes phased disarmament and economic recovery funding

Diplomatic Push After Cabinet Approval

On August 7, Lebanon’s cabinet approved the key elements of a U.S.-sponsored framework aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups. The roadmap includes four phases: disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of the year, Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, prisoner releases, and post-conflict rebuilding.

Watch now: Lebanon & Hezbollah agree to cease‑fire plan · YouTube

The proposal was met with cautious support from President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Tammam Salam, both of whom emphasized the importance of restoring full state sovereignty over Lebanese territory. The U.S. initiative appears to be the most direct attempt in years to resolve ongoing skirmishes along the Israel-Lebanon border and confront Hezbollah’s regional role.

Barrack’s Offer: A “Handshake” Strategy

U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack, currently also serving as ambassador to Turkey, is spearheading diplomatic overtures in both Beirut and Tel Aviv. He praised Lebanon’s cabinet move as a “serious step forward” and stated that “now we need Israel to comply with that equal handshake”—a phrase he used repeatedly to underscore the expectation of mutual concessions.

Israel has not issued a formal response, though defense officials signaled interest in reviewing the terms. The U.S. hopes the ceasefire can evolve into a lasting agreement, linking political normalization with financial and security guarantees from regional stakeholders.

Hezbollah’s Threat and Regional Stakes

Hezbollah leaders, however, dismissed the cabinet plan as illegitimate without firm Israeli guarantees. Some warned that enforcing disarmament unilaterally could lead to internal violence—a veiled threat interpreted by analysts as signaling possible action against the Lebanese state itself.

Despite this, government sources say preparations are underway for phased enforcement, beginning with border checkpoints and military oversight in key strongholds. International observers from France and Egypt have been briefed on the plan and could participate in monitoring compliance.

Rebuilding Lebanon: The Bigger Bargain

The disarmament plan is also linked to a broader economic package, with the U.S., EU, and Gulf states expected to contribute to Lebanon’s reconstruction if the ceasefire holds. Damages from recent hostilities are estimated at over $11 billion, including widespread infrastructure collapse.

By tying aid to measurable security outcomes, backers of the plan hope to incentivize both Lebanese factions and Israeli officials. But the risk of noncompliance from either side remains high, and experts caution that this latest initiative—while bold—may falter without sustained external enforcement.