US to host Lebanon-Israel military talks in Florida — Asharq Al-Awsat
Representatives of the Lebanese and Israeli armies will hold talks on October 20 at the headquarters of US Central Command in Florida with Washington’s support. The meeting will focus on operational and military issues amid incidents involving Lebanese military personnel in southern Lebanon, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
According to the publication, the Lebanese delegation will be headed by Ambassador Simon Karam, head of Lebanon’s negotiating delegation with Israel. Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamade Moawad, is also expected to take part. Sources following the international talks said civilian issues will not be discussed at the session, and legal and economic specialists will not be involved.
Meeting topics
The publication’s sources said the discussions will be limited to operational and military issues. Possible topics include compliance with the ceasefire, the cessation of earthworks, a possible expansion of the so-called model zones, inspections in these areas, and the issue of prisoners.
The agenda will be determined by the United States. According to sources, the Lebanese delegation will present the positions voiced by President Joseph Aoun at a conference in Paris and by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam during the UN General Assembly.
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The eighth round of talks in Rome, which usually involves military and civilian delegations, reached a deadlock. It was postponed until after the elections in Israel.
Incidents in southern Lebanon
The publication notes that over three years, Israeli attacks have repeatedly targeted Lebanese army units deployed in the south of the country. Since the start of the war on October 8, 2023, more than 70 Lebanese officers and servicemen have been killed there as a result of direct attacks or explosive remnants of war.
The latest incident occurred on September 30 in Nabatieh al-Fawqa. A serviceman sustained severe injuries, while three civilians were injured by the explosion of a suspicious object as army personnel escorted residents inspecting their property. The Lebanese Army Command said military engineers had established the cause of the explosion, and an investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.
After such cases, the Lebanese army strengthens contacts with the American side through the ceasefire monitoring mechanism or the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon in order to prevent further incidents.
