Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Israel refuses wider south Lebanon withdrawal, source says
Israel refused at talks on August 6 to withdraw from more areas of south Lebanon unless the Lebanese army had full control of two initial “pilot zones”, a Lebanese presidential source told AFP.
The seventh round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel was held in Rome under US auspices. The talks are aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Lebanese source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the talks had “not yielded definitive results regarding the pilot zones”. A US State Department spokesperson described the talks as “productive” and said the two sides were “a lot closer on what needs to be done to advance and expand the pilot zone process”.
In June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework deal involving Hezbollah's disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon and deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in two pilot zones. The Lebanese army began deploying on July 21 to a southern village whose outskirts were controlled by the Israeli army and which was one of the first two pilot zones. It has also reinforced its presence in the second zone.
“Lebanon is keen to move on to new areas, whereas the Israeli side insists on verifying” implementation in the first two zones before moving to the next stage, the Lebanese source said. The source also said agreement was reached on a shortlist of countries that might oversee implementation.
An Israeli official said the plan's expansion was “not automatic” and would grow only if the Israeli government sees results. The official said the pilot began about two weeks ago and was still too recent to assess, adding that there was “no immediate expectation” it would be expanded.
The pilot-zone plan is the first test of the framework agreement. Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected direct talks and refuses to surrender its weapons.
Alongside the talks, the Israeli army carried out strikes in south Lebanon on Thursday, calling them retaliation for the deaths of two soldiers on Wednesday in an explosion.
Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in March in support of Iran. Israel responded with air strikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people. Israel's military has lost 40 soldiers and one civilian contractor since the fighting in Lebanon began.
Update
An Israeli official said expanding the pilot-zone plan was not automatic and would happen only if the Israeli government sees results.
The Israeli official said the pilot began about two weeks ago, was too recent to assess and was not expected to expand immediately.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 19:48:04 UTC.
Update
A Lebanese presidential source said Israel refused to withdraw from more areas of south Lebanon unless the Lebanese army had full control of the initial two pilot zones.
The Lebanese source said the Thursday talks did not yield definitive results on the pilot zones.
A US State Department spokesperson said the talks were productive and that the sides were closer on expanding the pilot-zone process.
The Lebanese source said agreement was reached on a shortlist of countries that might oversee implementation.
Israel's military carried out strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, calling them retaliation for the deaths of two soldiers on Wednesday.
Israel's reported military death toll since the fighting in Lebanon began rose to 40 soldiers and one civilian contractor.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 18:36:37 UTC.
Update
Delegations from Lebanon and Israel arrived at the US embassy in Rome for talks scheduled to run until Thursday.
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Washington remained committed to supporting both governments through the process.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged the sides to continue constructively toward implementing the framework agreement.
A US State Department official said this week's discussions would include expanding the pilot-zone process, resolving border issues and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa warned that moving too quickly could endanger civilians and said both sides needed a clear process.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 18:09:04 UTC.
Update
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam publicly hit back at Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem's criticism of direct Lebanon-Israel talks.
Salam said those who unilaterally drew Lebanon into what he called futile wars had provided the greatest help to Israel.
Qassem accused Lebanese authorities of helping Israel by continuing negotiations and said President Joseph Aoun had become biased and divisive.
Qassem said Hezbollah would seek to provide shelter, repairs and reconstruction, while warning that patience would be needed.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 13:08:18 UTC.
Update
Lebanon and Israel held the new round of US-sponsored direct talks in Rome on Tuesday.
Convoys carrying delegations from both countries arrived at the US embassy in Rome in the morning.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 11:16:19 UTC.
Update
Lebanon and Israel are set to begin a new round of US-sponsored direct talks in Rome on Tuesday, with negotiations set to continue until Thursday.
The talks are the seventh round of US-sponsored negotiations since March.
A US State Department official said the discussions would include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving outstanding border issues and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Lebanon and Israel to continue in a constructive spirit.
After talks last month, Israel's military withdrew from the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiya and the Lebanese army deployed there.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 09:36:09 UTC.
Update
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem made the remarks in a televised address on Tuesday.
Qassem said direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel would bring “nothing but shame, humiliation, and successive compromises” for Lebanon.
Qassem criticised Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, saying he had become “biased and divisive”.
The remarks came ahead of new talks in Rome.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 08:03:31 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The talks did not produce definitive results on the pilot zones, according to the Lebanese presidential source.
The countries on the shortlist to oversee implementation were not identified.
The timing and conditions for expanding the pilot-zone plan remain unresolved.
Source
AFP news report published on .