Israel and Lebanon ·
Israel–Lebanon Agreement of 17 May 1983
An agreement signed by the two governments on ending the state of war, an Israeli withdrawal and security arrangements; it was approved by Lebanon's parliament but never brought into force and was cancelled in March 1984, so it is not a peace treaty in force.12
In 30 seconds
On 17 May 1983 representatives of Israel and Lebanon, with American mediation, signed an agreement that on paper ended the state of war and set out an Israeli withdrawal and security arrangements in southern Lebanon.21 It was approved by Lebanon's parliament but never brought into force, and Lebanon cancelled it on 5 March 1984.1
Where it stands today
The agreement is not in force: Lebanon cancelled it on 5 March 1984.1 As of October 2026 Israel and Lebanon have no peace treaty; the framework document of June 2026 is a new and separate text.4
In one sentence
To end the state of war between Israel and Lebanon and arrange the Israeli army's departure from Lebanon after the 1982 war.
The challenge
In 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon and besieged Beirut. President-elect Bashir Gemayel was assassinated on 14 September 1982, and his brother Amin was elected in his place. Syrian forces were also in Lebanon at the time.1
Israel wanted security arrangements that would keep Palestinian fighters away from its border, and Lebanon wanted foreign forces out of its territory.1
The road there
- Negotiations open at the Lebanon Beach Hotel in Khaldeh, south of Beirut.1
- The agreement is signed in two ceremonies, at Khaldeh and at Kiryat Shmona. The delegations were headed by David Kimche for Israel and Antoine Fattal for Lebanon; the American mediation was run by envoy Morris Draper on behalf of Secretary of State George Shultz.12
- Lebanon's parliament debates the agreement on 13–14 June and approves it: 67 in favour of 72 present, 2 against and 3 abstaining.1
- An opposition front against the agreement, the National Salvation Front, is formed in Lebanon.1
- The Lebanese government and President Amin Gemayel cancel the agreement.1
What was agreed
- An end to the state of war between the two states, and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.2
- Withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Lebanon, in phases, within 8 to 12 weeks.21
- A security region in southern Lebanon with special arrangements.2
- Each side to prevent terrorist acts and attacks from its territory against the other.2
- A Joint Liaison Committee, with United States participation, to supervise implementation.2
- An option to open liaison offices in each country, and later negotiations on the movement of goods and people.12
The geography
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Layers · Legend
- International boundary agreed in a peace treaty
- Treaty line with Jordan, “without prejudice to the status” of the territory beyond it
- 1949 armistice line (“Green Line”) — not an agreed final border
- “Blue Line” — UN line of withdrawal (2000), not a border
- Ceasefire / disengagement line with Syria (1974)
- Other international boundary
- West Bank and Gaza Strip: permanent status not agreed
- Golan Heights: held by Israel since 1967; annexation not recognised by the UN
- UN area of separation (UNDOF)
Classification follows the original research as of 7 Oct 2026. This schematic map is not a legal boundary map or a live update.
- International boundary agreed in a peace treaty
- Treaty line with Jordan, “without prejudice to the status” of the territory beyond it
- 1949 armistice line (“Green Line”) — not an agreed final border
- “Blue Line” — UN line of withdrawal (2000), not a border
- Ceasefire / disengagement line with Syria (1974)
- Other international boundary
- West Bank and Gaza Strip: permanent status not agreed
- Golan Heights: held by Israel since 1967; annexation not recognised by the UN
- UN area of separation (UNDOF)
Schematic map. Lines are approximate and are not a legal determination. Data: Natural Earth (public domain), 1:10m scale; line classification and place names by this site. Lines as of October 2026. Peace map
The hard decisions
- Syrian President Hafez al-Assad strongly opposed the agreement.1
- Israel's withdrawal was made conditional on a parallel withdrawal of Syrian forces; Syria refused to pull out its troops and so in practice blocked implementation.3
- Inside Lebanon opposition grew: in October 1983 a truck bomb at the US Marine barracks in Beirut killed 241 American servicemen, and in February 1984 an uprising led by Nabih Berri broke out.1
Where accounts differ
- According to The sources we consulted
- Accounts do not agree on whether President Amin Gemayel ever completed formal ratification: Al Majalla describes him sending the agreement to parliament and later cancelling it, without mentioning a signed ratification. The wording we use: approved by parliament, never brought into force, cancelled in March 1984.1
- According to Wikipedia (we found no confirmation in another source)
- Lebanon's parliament revoked the agreement again, unanimously, on 21 May 1987.3
What was carried out
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What remains open
Sources
- Press Al Majalla · 17 May 2023
Sami Moubayed, The 17 May Agreement of 1983: a perfect failure - Reference Jewish Virtual Library · 17 May 1983
Text of the Israel–Lebanon Agreement of 17 May 1983 (reproduction; the host's editorial note is not relied on) - Reference Wikipedia
May 17 Agreement - Press The Times of Israel · 26 June 2026
Full text of Israel-Lebanon framework deal that includes slight IDF pullback