Lebanon, Israel begin new round of U.S.-sponsored talks in Rome

Lebanon and Israel have commenced a new round of U.S.-sponsored negotiations in Rome, with Lebanese officials stating their goal is to secure successive Israeli troop withdrawals from Lebanese territory. Delegations from both nations arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Rome to begin discussions, which are scheduled to continue until Thursday.

The previous session in late June resulted in a framework agreement. This accord stipulates the deployment of the Lebanese army in "pilot zones" evacuated by Israel, which still occupies parts of southern Lebanon. However, this deployment is conditional on the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reported on Monday that efforts are underway to achieve "successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory, up to a total withdrawal." According to a U.S. State Department official, the current talks aim to expand the "pilot zone" process, resolve outstanding border issues, and establish a comprehensive peace and security agreement between the two countries, which remain technically in a state of war.

Despite these efforts, Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the agreement and refuses to lay down its arms without a clear timetable for Israel's complete withdrawal. The group's leader, Naim Kasem, criticized the direct negotiations on Tuesday, stating they would bring "nothing but shame, humiliation, and successive compromises." He accused the Lebanese president of exacerbating divisions within the country instead of acting as an impartial mediator. Hezbollah initiated the current conflict on March 2 by firing on Israel in support of Tehran, triggering Israeli airstrikes and a ground offensive. While violence has decreased since June, Beirut continues to report sporadic Israeli attacks.