U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon resumed in Rome amid conflicting reports over military withdrawals. Technical teams are addressing Hezbollah’s disarmament, southern border coordination, and pilot security zones, while Naim Qassem condemns the diplomatic track as an American-Israeli aggression.
Diplomatic Talks Resume in Rome Under U.S. Mediation
Diplomatic efforts to stabilize the southern border have resumed in Rome following separate White House meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These discussions bring together technical teams from both governments to advance the full implementation of a trilateral framework, with Department of State spokesperson Tommy Pigott stating on Tuesday that the talks cover the process around the pilot zones, the verified disarmament of Hezbollah and other Iran-backed security threats, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, and laying the basis for a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
Pigott stated that “De Verenigde Staten blijven zich volledig inzetten om beide regeringen te ondersteunen bij het voortzetten van dit proces op een manier die duurzame veiligheid voor beide landen oplevert, veiligheidsdreigingen voor Israël wegneemt en het staatsgezag van Libanon in het hele zuiden herstelt. The delegation in Rome focuses on working groups that deal with subjects such as military coordination, land and maritime borders, and the disarmament of Hezbollah, an Israeli diplomatic source told JNS.
Contradictory Reports and the Withdrawal Dispute
Meanwhile, negotiations have encountered friction since starting in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, as reported by NOS Nieuws on Thursday, June 25. Based on leaking details, American sources reported that Israel would be willing to withdraw from certain parts of southern Lebanon, something Israeli and Lebanese authorities denied not long after. The presence of Israel in that area remains the major stumbling block in the ceasefire negotiations, with Israel maintaining its stance that it does not want to leave as long as Hezbollah poses a threat to Israel.
Earlier announcements indicated discussions concerning pilot zones where the Israeli army would depart, and the Lebanese army would gain control with support from the United States. The U.S. would reportedly train the Lebanese army and conduct a screening to prevent Lebanese soldiers from having ties with Hezbollah. Hezbollah opposes the negotiations and declares it will only cooperate with the Lebanese army once the Israeli army has completely withdrawn from southern Lebanon.
Regional Rejection from Hezbollah and Tehran’s Stance
The U.S. has an interest in a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, while for Iran, the Israeli occupation of Lebanon is a dealbreaker in negotiations for a long-term pact with the U.S., requiring Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanon. The talks between Israel and Lebanon were scheduled to continue.
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