Lebanon and Israel have started a new round of direct talks in Rome this week under US mediation. Convoys carrying both delegations arrived at the American embassy in the Italian capital on Tuesday. Discussions are set to continue until Thursday.
This marks the seventh round of Washington-backed negotiations since March, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in support of Iran and pulled Lebanon into the wider Middle East conflict. Israel answered with intense airstrikes and a ground operation. Lebanese authorities say more than 4,300 people have been killed.
In June the two sides reached a framework agreement in Washington. It calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual pullback of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army into the area. The process begins in limited “pilot zones.”
After last month’s talks, Israeli forces left the outskirts of the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, one of the first pilot zones. The Lebanese army moved in and allowed residents to check their homes and businesses.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told his cabinet that Beirut is working for successive Israeli withdrawals that will eventually lead to a complete exit from Lebanese territory. A US State Department official said this week’s meetings will focus on expanding the pilot-zone process, settling remaining border questions, and moving toward a broader peace and security deal.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa cautioned against rushing. He said moving too fast could put civilians at risk and that both sides need a clear, workable plan before new zones open.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem strongly rejected the talks. In a televised speech he claimed the negotiations will bring only “shame, humiliation, and successive compromises” for Lebanon. He also criticised President Joseph Aoun, accusing him of bias instead of acting as a unifying figure.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged both parties to keep a constructive approach so the framework agreement can be fully implemented. Violence has eased since the deal and a related US-Iran understanding, yet intermittent Israeli strikes and demolitions continue in southern villages.
Experts still question whether the Lebanese army can fully disarm Hezbollah, which refuses to give up its weapons, and whether Israel will keep withdrawing once deeper occupied areas are selected as pilot zones.
