New round of talks between Israel and Lebanon to begin August 4 in Rome

The next round of US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place in Rome from August 4 to 6, focusing on implementing the framework agreement signed last month. Technical teams will discuss expanding pilot zones, resolving border issues, and working toward a comprehensive peace deal.

The next round of US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place in Rome from August 4 to 6, the State Department confirmed on Monday. Technical teams from each side will focus on advancing the implementation of the framework agreement for an eventual peace deal signed last month. The agreement calls for the Lebanese military to deploy in areas where Hezbollah had a presence, and for Israel to withdraw from its declared security zone, dependent on Hezbollah disarmament. The IDF carried out its first withdrawal from a pilot zone last week, though Beirut has accused Jerusalem of hampering Lebanese Armed Forces operations. The State Department insisted the power transfer is going well, but noted concerns that Israel may not agree to further withdrawals as the October Knesset election approaches. The war between Israel and Hezbollah started March 2, with over a million Lebanese displaced and more than 4,300 killed. Israel reported killing at least 2,500 Hezbollah operatives. Thirty-eight IDF soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed in southern Lebanon.