The Italian capital, Rome, is scheduled to host a new round of discussions between Israel and Lebanon next week under the auspices of the United States. These talks aim to solidify the calm along the southern border and advance the implementation of security understandings following the ceasefire between the two sides.
According to an unnamed U.S. State Department official, whose statements were reported by the Israeli network N12 and journalist Barak Ravid, the meetings are to be held from August 4 to 6. They are set to focus on potentially expanding the Israeli army's redeployment in southern Lebanon and discussing unresolved land border disputes between the countries.
The U.S. official indicated there is "significant momentum" in the Israeli-Lebanese track following the launch of the first "pilot zone" in southern Lebanon and the recent meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The technical groups meeting in Rome will work on fully implementing the U.S.-backed framework agreement, involving plans to expand pilot zones and address all outstanding border issues, and aim to reach a comprehensive peace and security agreement between both parties.
Expanding Pilot Zones
The U.S. official explained that the first pilot zone currently underway in southern Lebanon presents an opportunity for practical progress on the ground. This involves strengthening the Lebanese state's authority by disarming armed groups in a verifiable way and building the necessary trust for moving on to new stages.
The official added that the current experiment will facilitate the development of mechanisms for implementing these zones, with an eventual plan to gradually expand them into other regions of southern Lebanon.
The U.S. official did not specify which areas might be included in the expansion, nor have the Lebanese or Israeli governments provided formal comments on the forthcoming discussions.
Border Issues and Withdrawal
This round of talks comes amid ongoing disagreements along the Lebanon-Israel land border, including disputed areas unresolved for years. Lebanon demands Israel withdraw from certain sites still within its territory, while Israel insists any further steps are contingent on security arrangements on the Lebanese side.
Meetings are also expected to explore mechanisms for expanding the Israeli forces' redeployment in southern Lebanon, aligning with security understandings reached recently under U.S. sponsorship.
U.S.-Led Path
For months, the United States has been intensively engaging both sides to prevent renewed military confrontations and turn the ceasefire into more stable security arrangements.
The U.S. official emphasized that the tripartite framework agreement is "the only path" to achieving lasting peace between Israel and Lebanon, adding that the U.S. administration views the full implementation of this framework as a shared interest and is committed to supporting it.
While the chances of the talks achieving final understandings on contentious issues remain unclear, the U.S. official noted that the upcoming round aims to make practical progress on technical and security issues, paving the way for broader steps if positive dynamics between the parties continue.