US insists Israel-Lebanon talks moving in ‘positive direction’ despite setback last week

The US State Department announced that the next round of Israel-Lebanon talks will take place in Rome in early September, despite a setback last week. A spokesperson called the talks 'constructive,' with understandings reached on verification parameters for Hezbollah disarmament in pilot zones. Two pilot zones exist so far. Last week's talks were the seventh round since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into war in March. Israel has seized a strip about 10 km deep in southern Lebanon, and Lebanon reports over 4,300 killed. The sides de-escalated within 24 hours after a Hezbollah explosive killed Israeli forces. Israel rejects including countries that acted against it in a third-party verification committee. The US opposes extending UNIFIL's mandate.

The US State Department announced Tuesday that the next round of US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place in Rome in early September, despite setbacks during last week's talks. A State Department official said the political track will reconvene in Rome, with conversations continuing in Beirut, Jerusalem, and Washington in the interim. The official expressed confidence in the trajectory, saying 'We feel good about the trajectory.' Last week's talks ended early on their second day amid an escalation in southern Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Beirut is frustrated with the pace of Israeli withdrawals, feeling Jerusalem is dragging its feet ahead of October elections, while Israel argues that verification of Hezbollah disarmament must be completed first. Nonetheless, a State Department spokesperson insisted the talks were 'constructive' and that sides reached understandings on parameters for verifying that areas are cleared of Hezbollah infrastructure to 'unlock future pilot zones.' In June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework deal involving Hezbollah's disarmament, gradual Israeli withdrawal, and deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces, starting in 'pilot zones.' Two such zones exist so far. Talks last week were the seventh round since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire. Israel has seized a strip about 10 km deep into southern Lebanon, and Lebanon says more than 4,300 people have been killed. The sides de-escalated within 24 hours after a Hezbollah explosive killed Israeli forces, thanks to a trilateral deconfliction cell. The US also discussed delivering timely support for reconstruction of southern Lebanese villages flattened by Israel. Israel rejects including countries that have acted against it in international forums on a third-party verification committee. The US opposes extending UNIFIL's mandate, believing it has not prevented Hezbollah's rearmament. The spokesperson stressed that both sides face political constraints but the direction remains positive.