At the seventh round of negotiations in Rome, Israel refused to withdraw forces from a new zone in southern Lebanon and demanded first that it be confirmed that the Lebanese army has fully taken control of two territories where it has already been deployed. According to a source in the Lebanese presidency, the Thursday meeting under American auspices did not produce a final decision on the so-called “exemplary zones”: Beirut insisted on moving to new sectors, while the Israeli side pushed for completion of the verification of the first two.
In Washington, however, the talks were assessed as “positive.” A State Department spokesperson said the sides had become “much closer” to expanding the experimental format and putting it into practice. But, as The Wall Street Journal writes, Lebanese officials believe that Israel’s ongoing strikes on southern Lebanon noticeably complicated the seventh round and made a quick diplomatic breakthrough unlikely.
According to the newspaper, Beirut had expected to secure Israel’s agreement to withdraw troops from several more villages and hand them over to Lebanese control, but Tel Aviv refused. Israel is also insisting that a third party verify whether the withdrawal areas are clear of fighters from Hezbollah and its infrastructure. Italy is being considered as one of the most likely candidates for such a role.
In addition, Israeli military sources, as reported by the WSJ, acknowledge that Hezbollah cannot be disarmed by force alone. In their view, doing so would require a political agreement. Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement on June 26 following five rounds of talks in Washington. It provides for Israel’s gradual withdrawal from occupied areas in southern Lebanon in parallel with the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of Hezbollah, starting with two pilot zones.
In practice, the Lebanese army has already deployed as of July 21 in Zoutar-ash-Sharkiya—one of the two test zones—after the Israeli forces pulled back from its outskirts. Later, positions in Srifa and Frunе were reinforced. At the same time, contacts between the sides continue, and on the ground further steps are being discussed regarding troop withdrawal, army deployment, and the control system.
Meanwhile, conditions in southern Lebanon remain tense. The Lebanese agency reported that an Israeli drone dropped a flash-bang grenade toward an army bulldozer working to clear a road in the Al-Mansouri area, to enable the return of displaced residents. The Lebanese army said that one serviceman received a minor injury after an Israeli strike on the bulldozer. According to reports, army units entered Al-Mansouri on Friday morning to open roads that had been blocked by recent airstrikes.
On the eve of those events, dozens of families left Al-Mansouri after an Israeli evacuation warning—the first such order since June 14. Since March 2, Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon, and, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, they have already killed 4,333 people and injured 12,250. Against the backdrop of new strikes and evacuations, the chances of real diplomatic progress remain limited despite optimistic statements from the United States.
Comments on the news
What are the “exemplary” or “pilot” zones in southern Lebanon, and why are they used to test the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese army? - These are limited areas in southern Lebanon selected as test sites to check how the agreement will be carried out in practice: whether Israeli forces will leave, and whether the Lebanese army will be able to take and hold those territories. Such zones are used because it is easier to monitor compliance with the deal, assess risks, and, if necessary, adjust the control mechanism before wider deployment.
Why is Italy being considered as a possible “third party” to verify the withdrawal zones, and what role do European countries typically play in arrangements of this kind between Israel and Lebanon? - Italy is seen as a relatively neutral and acceptable participant to both sides, who can help with on-the-ground monitoring and verification. In situations like these, European countries generally do not make decisions for the conflict sides themselves; they act as mediators, observers, participants in peacekeeping missions, or technical guarantors of monitoring. In the Lebanese-Israeli context, their role is often tied to supporting international monitoring mechanisms and reducing the risk of direct escalation.
Where are Zoutar-ash-Sharkiya, Srifa, Frunе, and Al-Mansouri, and why are these particular localities considered important in negotiations and military operations in southern Lebanon? - All of these localities are in southern Lebanon, in areas where the line of contact with Israel is especially sensitive and where military and political clashes often occur. They are important because control over such points affects border security, troop movement routes, and how far the line of hostilities can be pushed back. In negotiations, such places often become markers: whoever controls them gains an advantage in verifying troop withdrawal and in determining the future security order in the south of the country.
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