Lebanon, Israel hold talks in Rome on implementing framework deal

Lebanon and Israel Resume Talks in Rome to Implement US-Brokered Deal

Lebanon and Israel have resumed direct talks in Rome, hosted at the US Embassy, in an effort to move a US-brokered framework agreement into the implementation phase, according to multiple reports from Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, and The Hindu. The talks, which begin on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, and are expected to last two days, focus on the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the deployment of Lebanese troops to the area, as part of the agreement signed on June 26 following five rounds of negotiations in Washington.

The framework agreement calls for an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the disarmament of militant groups—an apparent reference to Hezbollah—the deployment of Lebanese troops to the south, and the progressive withdrawal of Israeli forces. Initial implementation is focused on two designated "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces are expected to hand over control to the Lebanese Army, which would then be responsible for dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure and preventing the group's return.

According to the Jerusalem Post, practical preparations are currently centered on the first pilot area, with an American official indicating that an Israeli withdrawal could begin within days, though no exact date, map, or binding timetable was provided. Planning for the second area remains incomplete, and Israel insists any further steps must depend on the results achieved in the first zone. Lebanon, however, stresses that the transfer of both areas is already part of the agreement and should not become an open-ended process.

The Lebanese presidency announced that its delegation has been instructed to demand the immediate start of Israeli withdrawal from the two pilot zones before any further discussions, as reported by The Hindu. A Lebanese diplomatic source said the Lebanese army is ready to gradually take control of localities from which Israeli forces withdraw, but analysts note that Israel seeks assurances that Hezbollah will not reestablish a presence in the areas.

Orna Mizrahi, an analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, told AFP's Jerusalem bureau that Israel is willing to withdraw gradually, but on the condition that Hezbollah remains absent from the zones and that the Lebanese army has the capability to keep the areas neutralized, according to The Hindu.

The talks follow a June meeting in Washington where the agreement was reached, but the situation on the ground remains tense. Since the war resumed on March 2, more than 4,000 Lebanese have been killed and over 1 million displaced, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Jerusalem Post reported that at least 32 Israeli soldiers and four Israeli civilians have been killed by Hezbollah during the conflict. The Hindu cited a figure of more than 4,300 people killed, though this number appears to be contested across sources.

Hezbollah has rejected the agreement, which includes its disarmament, and has warned against any attempt by the Lebanese government to impose the understandings, according to multiple reports. The group believes that only Iranian pressure on Washington can end the war and secure an Israeli withdrawal, but the recent renewal of US-Iranian hostilities in the Gulf has further complicated matters.

Despite the challenges, Italy has offered to host the talks, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stating, "We are also very pleased that Rome can serve as the venue for these meetings. In this way, our capital becomes a capital of peace," as reported by Al Jazeera. The meetings are being held under US mediation, with a US military delegation also in Beirut over the weekend to discuss the withdrawal process.

Expectations for swift progress, however, remain low, with the broader regional conflict between Iran and the US casting a shadow over the negotiations. As the talks continue, the central questions remain whether the Lebanese army can assert control against Hezbollah's objections, and whether Israel will follow through on its phased withdrawal commitments.