Rita El Jammal
The New Arab / June 29, 2026
Legal experts warn Article 13 of the Lebanon-Israel agreement could restrict Beirut’s ability to pursue Israel through international legal forums.
Beirut – Lebanon’s US-backed framework agreement with Israel has triggered warnings from legal experts over whether Beirut may be limiting its ability to pursue Israel for war crimes committed on Lebanese territory.
The concern centres on Article 13 of the agreement, signed in Washington on Friday, which commits Lebanon and Israel to stop “hostile or harmful actions” in international political or legal forums.
For some legal experts, the wording is dangerously broad and could be interpreted as Lebanon giving up, or at least restricting, its right to pursue Israel through international courts, UN bodies and other accountability mechanisms.
What does Article 13 say ?
Article 13 says Lebanon and Israel, “in line with their shared goals to establish stable and peaceful relations […] commit to take good faith measures that demonstrate positive intent”.
These steps include “cessation of all hostile or adverse actions in international political or legal fora”, as well as working to locate and return remains and release detainees.
The phrase “international political or legal fora” is what has raised alarm among rights lawyers.
Why is it controversial ?
Lawyers warn that the article could be read as requiring Lebanon to stop filing complaints against Israel at the UN Security Council, UN agencies, fact-finding bodies, the International Criminal Court or other international legal mechanisms.
Ghida Frangieh, a lawyer and researcher at Legal Agenda, told The New Arab that the clause was “very dangerous” because it could be interpreted as Lebanon giving up its role in pursuing investigation, accountability and justice for victims.
She said the clause was especially concerning because it refers not only to legal forums but also to political ones, meaning it could affect Lebanon’s ability to use a wide range of international institutions.
Does this mean Lebanon can no longer sue Israel ?
Lawyer and rights advocate Diala Shehadeh told The New Arab that the agreement was political in nature and does not automatically prevent Lebanon from pursuing Israel legally in the future.
She said Lebanon could still seek compensation through negotiations and, if talks fail, could turn to judicial mechanisms.
She also noted that previous complaints submitted to the UN or other bodies would not automatically disappear because of the agreement.
However, she said some international routes, particularly before international courts, require state action, meaning the Lebanese government’s position would matter.
Can individuals still take legal action ?
Yes, but the path is more limited and complicated.
Legal experts said individuals may still be able to pursue cases through national courts under universal jurisdiction, depending on the country and the alleged crimes involved.
Shehadeh said individuals can act over Israeli crimes against the Lebanese people, not only against the Lebanese state. However, she stressed that certain international courts require action by the state itself.
Lawyer Farouk Maghrebi told The New Arab that individuals could use universal jurisdiction before national courts, but warned that this is usually a long and complex process.
What crimes are lawyers concerned about ?
Legal experts cited Israeli violations in Lebanon since 2023, including indiscriminate attacks, disproportionate strikes, attacks on civilians and residential buildings, attacks on medical teams and journalists, enforced disappearance of detainees, forced displacement and the destruction of villages and civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
Frangieh said many of these alleged crimes should not be left without accountability or compensation, which is why Article 13 has caused such concern.
What happens to previous complaints ?
According to Shehadeh, previous complaints submitted to the UN Security Council or UN agencies do not automatically lapse because of the agreement.
She also said communications submitted to the International Criminal Court would not simply disappear.
The bigger question is whether the Lebanese state will continue supporting such legal routes, or whether Article 13 will be used politically to discourage further action.
Rights lawyers note that the clause comes at a time when Israel is already facing growing international legal pressure over its actions in Gaza and the wider region.
The controversy is particularly striking given that Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam previously served as president of the International Court of Justice.
In July 2024, the ICJ, under Salam’s presidency, issued a landmark advisory opinion finding Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories unlawful and calling for it to end “as rapidly as possible”.
Frangieh said it would be striking for Lebanon to step back from legal accountability at a moment when Israel was facing unprecedented scrutiny internationally.
Rita El Jammal is a Lebanese journalist and reporter
