Lebanon and Israel Discuss Implementation of Framework Deal in Rome

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1510 EAT on Tuesday 14 July 2026

Lebanon and Israel have resumed talks in Rome, with Beirut seeking progress towards securing an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon under a United States-brokered agreement, although expectations for a quick breakthrough remain low.

Officials from both countries began two days of discussions at the US embassy in the Italian capital on Tuesday to explore ways of implementing the framework deal aimed at ending the war in Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials cited by Reuters.

The talks are focused on mechanisms for putting the agreement into effect, including steps linked to Israeli troop withdrawal and restoring stability along the border.

However, officials have cautioned that significant challenges remain before a lasting resolution can be achieved.

One of the officials said relocating the talks to Rome would allow both delegations to more easily consult their respective governments for guidance as negotiations continue.

The Lebanese presidency said President Joseph Aoun had instructed the Lebanese delegation to demand the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from two designated areas in southern Lebanon before engaging in further discussions with the Israeli side.

On Monday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy had offered to host the talks as part of efforts to advance discussions towards achieving a lasting ceasefire in Lebanon.

“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,” Tajani said ahead of a European Union meeting in Brussels.

The talks follow a June 26 meeting in Washington, DC, which resulted in an agreement calling for an end to the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, the disarmament of armed groups — widely understood as a reference to Hezbollah — the deployment of Lebanese forces in southern Lebanon, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area.

Since Hezbollah and Israel resumed fighting on March 2 amid a wider regional conflict, US-led diplomatic efforts have continued despite strong opposition from the Iran-backed group.

Under a US-Iran agreement reached in mid-June, both sides agreed to halt fighting across all fronts, including Israel’s war in Lebanon. However, Israel has continued its military operations, saying its confrontation with Hezbollah is a matter of national security.

Israel’s military currently controls what it describes as a “buffer zone” extending about 10 kilometres (6 miles) into Lebanese territory along the length of the border. Israeli officials say the zone is intended to protect communities in northern Israel from potential Hezbollah attacks.

In remarks issued by his office on Monday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he hoped the Rome talks would produce “tangible and practical steps on the ground” towards implementing the agreement. He added that the discussions should lead to an Israeli troop withdrawal and allow the Lebanese army to deploy in southern Lebanon.

A Lebanese official said Beirut’s delegation would push for a gradual and phased withdrawal of Israeli forces “one zone after another” under a proposed “pilot zone” arrangement. The plan would involve Hezbollah disarming, Israeli troops withdrawing, and Lebanese forces deploying in stages across southern Lebanon.

The June 26 agreement identified two zones as starting points for the initiative. A US official said last week that the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) was coordinating with both Lebanon and Israel to launch the pilot zones. Sources told Reuters that a US military delegation visited Lebanon over the weekend for detailed discussions with the Lebanese army on the plan.

Israel’s military has displaced residents from parts of southern Lebanon and carried out controlled demolitions in several villages. The Israeli army says the operations are aimed at destroying Hezbollah infrastructure, including underground tunnels used by the group.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says more than 4,000 people have been killed and over one million displaced during Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon since March.
Meanwhile, at least 32 Israeli soldiers and four civilians have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since Israel began its operations, most of them in southern Lebanon.

-Observer

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