Lebanon and Israel make progress on verification of Hezbollah disarmament in Rome talks

Lebanon and Israel concluded a week of US-mediated talks in Rome, resulting in a shortlist of countries capable of deploying troops to verify the disarmament of Hezbollah. The agreement stems from a June 26 framework designed to link the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon to the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, which the militant group continues to reject. While technical discussions were deemed productive by US officials, the negotiations remained fragile, with the second day of the session interrupted by renewed clashes on the ground.

Despite the diplomatic efforts, the security situation remains volatile. Recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, including in the Mansouri and Burj al-Shamali areas, followed an Israeli declaration that Hezbollah violated the ceasefire. In response, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem publicly denounced the talks as a source of national humiliation, heightening tensions between the militant group and the Lebanese government. Although the UN reported that over 821,000 displaced people had returned to their homes by late July, ongoing hostilities continue to cause casualties. The United States is now expected to select the final monitor nations from the agreed-upon list to oversee the disarmament process, though specific participants remain undisclosed amid reports that Israel and the US have vetoed French involvement.