Lebanon, Israel hold talks in Rome on implementing framework deal

What Happened

On Tuesday, Lebanese and Israeli officials began two days of talks at the US embassy in Rome to discuss implementing a framework agreement aimed at ending the war in Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials speaking to Reuters. The June 26 Washington-agreed framework calls for the disarmament of armed groups—an apparent reference to Hezbollah—the deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to the south, and the progressive withdrawal of Israeli forces. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instructed the Lebanese delegation to demand the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from two designated areas in southern Lebanon before any further discussions. Israel maintains that its troops will remain in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains armed, and it occupies what it describes as a 'buffer zone' approximately 10 km into Lebanon. Hezbollah has rejected the agreement and disarmament efforts. Fighting resumed on March 2, and Israeli attacks have continued, killing more than 4,000 Lebanese and displacing over a million since March, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, while Hezbollah attacks have killed at least 32 Israeli soldiers and four Israeli civilians.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The Rome talks represent the first direct implementation discussions since the June 26 framework, with potential to advance a phased Israeli withdrawal and LAF deployment in southern Lebanon. However, deep discord remains: Hezbollah rejects disarmament, Israel conditions withdrawal on it, and fighting continues. The outcome will test the US-Iran mid-June deal to stop front-line hostilities and could reshape the post-war security architecture along the Israel-Lebanon border, affecting UNSCR 1701 enforcement and regional stability.

Watch For

Monitor the conclusion of the Rome meetings for any joint statement or agreement on pilot zones; whether Israel signals readiness to withdraw from the two demanded areas; LAF deployment timelines; Hezbollah's public reaction; CENTCOM's next coordination steps with the Lebanese army; and any further Israeli military operations in the buffer zone.