US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon to resume in Rome

The United States announced that a new round of diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is scheduled for early September in Rome. A U.S. State Department official confirmed that the ongoing mediation efforts remain positive, noting that previous working groups have successfully harmonized technical terminology, map data, and operational procedures during the seventh round of discussions held last week.

Following a framework agreement signed in late June, Israel and Lebanon have begun implementing pilot zones in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are gradually withdrawing to allow for the deployment of the Lebanese army. While technical hostilities between the two nations persist, officials express satisfaction with the current progress. Diplomatic efforts will continue in the interim via ongoing consultations across Beirut, Jerusalem, and Washington.

Israel maintains control over parts of southern Lebanon, conditioning its full withdrawal on the disarmament of local militant factions. The upcoming summit in Rome is expected to further advance the political components of the framework agreement, building on the operational momentum achieved in recent weeks.