Israel and Lebanon may hold talks in Rome next week — KAN
Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold a new round of direct talks in Rome, Italy, next week. This was reported by Anadolu Agency, citing Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
Purpose of the meetings
According to KAN, the meetings are to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Their stated purpose is to establish a force that will verify whether designated pilot areas have been cleared of Hezbollah’s presence.
The broadcaster did not provide details about the countries or parties that may join this force, its tasks, or its operating mechanism. KAN also reported that the United States seeks to expand the territories from which Israeli forces would withdraw and transfer control to the Lebanese army.
As of 19:00 GMT, Lebanon had not commented on reports about the planned round of talks.
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Previous rounds
Since April 14, Israel and Lebanon have held seven rounds of direct talks: five in Washington and the latest two in Rome. Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the talks and called on the Lebanese government to end them.
The sixth round ended with a preliminary agreement to identify two pilot areas to begin implementing the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The framework agreement signed on June 26 provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there.
Statement by the Lebanese army
On Wednesday, the Lebanese army said it had recorded 7,700 Israeli violations since the framework agreement was signed. It warned that the continuation of such violations threatens the current agreements and mechanisms.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli attacks on Lebanon continued despite the framework agreement. Israeli forces are present in areas of southern Lebanon: Israel has controlled some of them for decades, while others have been under its control since the 2023–2024 war.
