US Says Israel-Lebanon Deal Is Progressing After Weeks on Hold
By Mashood Siddiui I SCN – Sky Communication News
A U.S.-mediated deal between Israel and Lebanon is moving forward again after weeks of delay, a U.S. official said, offering a rare diplomatic opening as the wider Middle East remains under pressure from renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities.
According to AP, the talks have now shifted into technical discussions in Rome, focusing on mapped “pilot zones” where Israeli forces would withdraw and the Lebanese army would take control. The goal is to reduce Hezbollah’s presence near the border and create a phased path toward restoring Lebanese state authority in southern Lebanon.
The progress follows a U.S.-brokered framework agreement signed in Washington on June 26 by Israeli and Lebanese representatives, though both sides described it as only an initial step.
Under the U.S.-backed plan, Israeli forces would withdraw from two pilot zones and allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to move in. Reuters reported that few public details have been released on how the pilot-zone mechanism will work in practice.
The biggest obstacle remains Hezbollah. The Iran-backed group has rejected the U.S.-brokered security deal as a “surrender,” while warning that armed resistance would continue if Israel remains in southern Lebanon.
President Trump has voiced optimism, saying he believes Israel will withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously saying Israel would maintain a military presence because of Hezbollah threats.