The talks between Lebanon and Israel that were scheduled to take place in Rome next week have been postponed until October, a U.S. official said, as Washington prepares for a meeting between the two countries’ ambassadors in the U.S. capital.
The official said the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors are expected to meet at the U.S. State Department next week, in an effort to keep communication channels open despite the postponement of the Rome round and continued tensions in southern Lebanon.
The U.S. official stressed that the trilateral framework involving Lebanon, Israel and the United States remains the “only effective mechanism” for addressing outstanding issues between the two sides, signaling Washington’s continued commitment to mediation efforts.
No reason was given for the postponement of the Rome meetings, and no specific date in October was announced.
Key Issues on the Negotiating Table
The Rome talks were initially scheduled to last two days and were expected to address several complex issues, including Israeli withdrawals from southern Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese Army, the future of the so-called “model areas,” and the establishment of a mechanism to monitor those areas.
The negotiations remain complicated by disagreements over the terms of any Israeli withdrawal. Israel has insisted that the Lebanese Army must complete its deployment in the areas designated as model zones and demonstrate effective control before any additional withdrawals are considered.
The parties also remain divided over which entity should oversee implementation of the security arrangements.
Military Escalation in Southern Lebanon
The postponement comes amid renewed military escalation in southern Lebanon, after Israel announced the destruction of a tunnel network in the Ali al-Taher heights near Nabatieh.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had seized weapons in the area, including missiles, mines, an anti-aircraft gun and computers, and alleged that they had been supplied and financed by Iran for Hezbollah.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military had established a “fortified security zone” stretching from the coast to the approaches of Mount Hermon, while military chief of staff Eyal Zamir warned of a strong and immediate response to any attacks targeting Israeli forces or communities.
With the Rome talks postponed but the Washington meeting still planned, the United States continues to push for the diplomatic track to remain active, while Israeli withdrawal, Lebanese Army deployment, Hezbollah’s weapons and the monitoring mechanism remain among the
