WASHINGTON- UNS : The United States has confirmed that the next round of US-mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon will take place in Rome, Italy, from August 4 to 6, as efforts continue to implement a framework agreement aimed at ending hostilities and enhancing regional security.
A US State Department official said the technical talks will focus on advancing the full implementation of the agreement, including Israel’s planned withdrawal from two designated “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon. The discussions will also address unresolved border issues, the expansion of the pilot-zone process, and the pursuit of a broader peace and security arrangement between the two countries.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had earlier announced that Rome would host the negotiations, which are being facilitated by the United States.
The framework agreement was reached following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement on March 2, amid the broader Middle East crisis. The deal provides for a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, the disarmament of Hezbollah, the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces across southern Lebanon, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.
According to the US official, lessons learned from the initial pilot zones will help improve the implementation mechanism before expanding the process in stages.
Despite the agreement, security challenges remain. The Lebanese Army on Sunday accused Israel of continuing military operations in southern Lebanon, saying the ongoing strikes and artillery shelling were hindering its full deployment under the terms of the framework agreement. Lebanese authorities have also reported intermittent Israeli attacks in the south despite a significant reduction in large-scale fighting.
The Rome talks are expected to play a key role in determining the next phase of the withdrawal process and broader efforts to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon border.
