Progress in Israel-Lebanon Talks: Technical Details Finalized

The United States reports significant progress in the contacts between Israel and Lebanon, following the latest round of technical talks held in Rome. A senior US State Department official told the Lebanese newspaper "Nidaa al-Watan" that the military delegations of Lebanon, Israel, and the United States have completed the details required for the operation of pilot zones in southern Lebanon, intended to practically test the implementation of security understandings between the parties.

According to the official, the talks in Rome lasted three days and were defined as "constructive and detailed." During them, work was completed on operational standards, joint maps, and agreed-upon definitions for verification and demining operations. "We now have clear definitions and metrics for measuring success," he said. The goal is to create a mechanism that will allow checking whether the area defined as a pilot zone indeed meets the established conditions, including the activity of the Lebanese army and the dismantling of Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons as part of the agreement.

The American official added that the parties also agreed on a roadmap for opening additional pilot zones in the future. In the next round of technical talks, Lebanon is expected to present detailed maps for securing new areas, in parallel with the continued implementation of arrangements in areas already activated. According to him, the military coordination group accompanying the process will continue to operate in the coming weeks to ensure that the first phase is implemented successfully.

The first pilot zones were activated last month in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zoutar el-Gharbiyeh in southern Lebanon, under the military coordination group and within the framework of the tripartite agreement. The model is intended to test the transfer of security responsibility to the Lebanese army, alongside the dismantling of Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure and gradual progress in the Israeli withdrawal.

In the State Department, it was further noted that practical issues remain to be decided, including the identity of the party that will perform third-party verification of demining operations and the security measures of the Lebanese army. "Once these details are clarified, the process will accelerate significantly," the official said. According to him, Washington is aware of the political constraints acting on both sides, but believes that the very existence of direct talks between the teams and their ability to present joint solutions constitutes a significant change.

The political track is expected to resume in Rome at the beginning of September, and in the meantime, contacts will continue in Beirut, Jerusalem, and Washington. "We are satisfied with the way things are developing. The framework is being implemented, the first zones are already operating, and the working groups have unified terms, maps, and procedures," said the American official. However, he accused Hezbollah of attempting to "disrupt the process" and added that the United States is not ignoring the difficulties.

In parallel, the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, expressed optimism regarding the negotiations. After a meeting with Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi in Balamand, Issa said that "the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel take place every two or three weeks, are progressing significantly, and bring a new solution in every round." According to him, "I am optimistic that it will help resolve matters in Lebanon and in the region."

Issa also emphasized the personal involvement of President Donald Trump in the process. "President Trump loves Lebanon, and it is important to him to achieve peace in Lebanon," he said. In another recording of his words, the ambassador is heard saying that Trump told him: "Go, make us peace in Lebanon," and added that he is in the country to "prepare the peace." These remarks fit into the American effort to promote the pilot zones as a practical test ahead of a gradual expansion of the arrangements in southern Lebanon.