Lebanon has set a condition for its participation in the upcoming round of direct talks with Israel, insisting that Israeli forces withdraw from two designated "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon before engaging in negotiations scheduled for July 15 and 16 in Rome. This information was provided by a diplomatic source familiar with the discussions.
The upcoming talks follow five previous rounds held in Washington under U.S. sponsorship, which aimed to end hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace agreement. The parties had recently agreed on a framework that includes Hezbollah’s disarmament, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, and deployment of Lebanese army forces into the pilot zones. However, the pact lacks a firm timeline for Israel’s withdrawal, and Israeli officials have stated they intend to maintain a 10-kilometer deep “security zone” in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains armed.
The Lebanese source, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that Beirut’s insistence on Israel’s pullback from the pilot zones is a precondition for its delegation’s attendance at the upcoming meeting in Rome. The U.S. State Department reportedly characterized the framework agreement as the conclusion of an initial phase and the start of a new stage aimed at reaching a permanent peace accord. Negotiators were advised to remain closely connected with their respective governments for consultations ahead of the talks.
According to the source, Israel welcomed Rome as the venue for the talks, viewing it as an opportunity to ease the diplomatic pressure exerted by Washington during the earlier ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, Lebanon has received assurances from the United States that the level of U.S. involvement and policy direction in the Rome negotiations will be consistent with the earlier phase.
The Rome discussions are occurring prior to a planned visit to Washington by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun later this month, at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump. Aoun commented that the visit signals U.S. support for finding a durable solution to the recurring conflicts and Israeli military actions against Lebanon. Though the presidency has not formally confirmed the date, reports indicate the visit is expected on July 21.
The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has been marked by intense violence, with Israeli military operations in Lebanon resulting in over 4,300 deaths, according to Lebanese sources. The current framework agreement was achieved following a broader regional deal between Iran and the United States aimed at halting hostilities, which also included a ceasefire in Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to conduct sporadic strikes in southern Lebanon.
The diplomatic official further noted that Lebanon seeks to assert its authority to negotiate independently, following Iran’s efforts to include Lebanon explicitly in its agreement with the United States. Hezbollah, however, remains opposed to the framework deal that calls for its disarmament.