Israel and Lebanon hold Rome ceasefire talks as Israeli soldiers killed

Delegations from Israel and Lebanon met on 6 August 2026 at the U.S. embassy in Rome for a new round of negotiations aimed at ending hostilities and arranging a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. The talks were mediated by the United States, with President Donald Trump pledging substantial assistance to Lebanon during a visit by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed the deaths of Major Harel Birenstock, 34, and Sergeant Tamir Vaknin, 33, the first Israeli combat casualties in the south of Lebanon in more than a month. The soldiers were killed during Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions, which followed a fresh round of bombings and a warning for residents of Mansouri to evacuate. Lebanese state media reported one civilian death and 11 injuries in a separate attack. The negotiations, which have already seen a preliminary agreement in June, are expected to continue for a third and final day in Rome.