Israel and Lebanon to Continue US-Mediated Talks in Rome

The next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States, will take place in Rome next week, with negotiators seeking to build on recent progress in implementing a security framework agreement. “We are entering these talks with significant momentum following the launch of the first pilot zone in southern Lebanon and the productive meeting between President Joseph Aoun and President Donald Trump last week,” a US State Department official said on Monday, as cited by local media. The technical working group meeting is scheduled for 4-6 August and will focus on accelerating the full implementation of the framework agreement signed last month. “This first pilot zone represents a concrete opportunity to deliver tangible progress on the ground, restoring Lebanese state authority through the verifiable disarmament of terrorist organisations and building the confidence necessary for subsequent steps,” the official stated. The official added that lessons learned from the initial pilot zone will be used to refine the implementation process before a gradual expansion. “The trilateral framework is the only path to sustainable peace. Both countries have a clear interest in its success, and the Trump administration is committed to ensuring its full implementation,” the official said. The agreement does not set a timeline for troop withdrawal, with resolution tied to the Lebanese army assuming security responsibilities in vacated areas and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah. According to official Lebanese data, Israeli strikes since 2 March have killed 4,328 people and wounded 12,232 others. Israel continues to occupy several areas in southern Lebanon, including territory held for decades and land seized during the war between October 2023 and November 2024.