Dispute in Tampa talks and Israel threatens to expand its operations in southern Lebanon

A dispute in the Tampa talks between Lebanon and Israel over security arrangements and the role of the Lebanese army, alongside new Israeli airstrikes and threats to expand military operations in southern Lebanon.

Political efforts to contain the escalation in southern Lebanon continue amid disagreements over security arrangements and the role of the Lebanese army, alongside renewed Israeli airstrikes and escalating threats to expand military operations. The second round of Lebanese-Israeli military talks, held Wednesday evening in Tampa, saw disagreements over the performance of the Lebanese army and the security verification mechanism, according to media leaks. Israel demanded the establishment of a joint and direct operations room with the Lebanese army to verify the situation in the two pilot zones, while the Lebanese delegation expressed reservations about granting Israel a direct role in monitoring the army's movements and field decisions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun insists on the option of negotiations to regain control of the south, as Israeli pressure on the Lebanese army continues, alongside the threat of continued occupation and expansion of military operations. On the ground, Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike on Thursday on the town of Hadatha in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces carried out a sweeping operation towards the town of Beit Yahoun in the same district. Israeli forces also detonated explosives in the town of Kfar Tibnit, alongside Israeli drone flights at low altitude over Sidon and Mount Lebanon.