Lebanon and Israel resume U.S.-mediated talks in Rome

Lebanon and Israel have resumed direct talks in Rome with U.S. mediation, aiming to expand a pilot-zone formula that could lead to a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The seventh round of negotiations is scheduled to run from 4 to 6 August, U.S. officials confirmed.

Diplomatic push seeks to translate a June framework into ground deployments

The framework deal signed at the end of June under earlier rounds envisages deploying the Lebanese Army into "pilot zones" vacated by Israeli forces — areas that Israel still occupies in parts of the south — on the condition that the Iran-aligned Hezbollah is disarmed. Under that arrangement, the Lebanese Army began deploying on 21 July to the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, the first pilot zone, and authorities permitted civilians to return.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, after meeting the heads of the Lebanese and Israeli delegations, Simon Karam and Yehiel Leiter, urged both sides "to continue to work constructively and define joint solutions" to implement the framework accord.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told a cabinet session that efforts are underway to secure "specific Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory that would culminate in a full withdrawal," Information Minister Paul Morcos reported.

U.S. State Department officials say the Rome talks will focus on widening the pilot-zone process, resolving remaining border issues and developing a comprehensive peace and security accord between the two countries, which remain technically at war. The U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Issa, called for "responsible" implementation of the framework, warning that "Moving too quickly would risk endangering exactly the civilians this process is meant to protect." She added that the parties must agree on "a clear and practical mechanism before moving to the next phase."

Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the agreement and refuses to disarm; the movement’s leader, Naim Qassem, said direct negotiations with Israel would bring only "shame and humiliation," accusing Lebanon’s president of fostering divisions instead of acting as an arbiter. Hezbollah’s initiation of fire against Israel on 2 March in support of Tehran triggered heavy Israeli air strikes and a ground offensive; while violence has eased since June, Beirut reports sporadic Israeli attacks and decries bombardment in the south.

Photo: press material from the event