Lebanon and Israel move toward pilot‑zone withdrawals after US‑mediated talks in Rome

In a sixth round of U.S.-mediated negotiations held at the American embassy in Rome on July 15‑16, Lebanese and Israeli delegations agreed on the structure and guidelines for implementing two “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon. The plan calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal from the designated areas and the hand‑over of security control to the Lebanese army, with the aim of disarming Hezbollah and restoring Lebanese sovereign authority.

U.S. officials described the talks as “productive and positive,” noting that the parties will move to technical discussions to finalise the pilot‑zone process in the coming days. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has urged an immediate Israeli pull‑out from the zones before further talks, while Israel has continued some military activity, including the construction of new posts in the south, raising concerns about implementation.

The agreement builds on the June 26 framework deal signed in Washington, which outlined a broader withdrawal and a future comprehensive peace framework between the two countries that have been technically at war since 1948.