Israeli and Lebanese officials engaged in a new round of U.S.-mediated talks on Tuesday. The discussions aim to advance a fragile cease-fire and facilitate Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Despite these efforts, the likelihood of a breakthrough remains low.
Months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group supported by Iran, have resulted in thousands of deaths. Over a million people have been displaced, and Israeli forces have occupied significant portions of southern Lebanon. This conflict began with the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, during which Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel to support Tehran.
The two-day meetings take place at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. They follow an initial agreement made in June, which aims to end the hostilities in Lebanon. However, the agreement has faced criticism in Lebanon because it lacks a fixed date for Israel’s withdrawal.
Instead, the deal conditions Israel’s exit on Hezbollah’s disarmament, a process managed by the Lebanese government that has had limited progress. According to the agreement, as Israel withdraws, the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume control of the affected areas, allowing displaced residents to return.
The talks occur amid a precarious moment for the region. A cease-fire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, signed last month, was contingent on ending the war in all theaters, including Lebanon. Recently, both Iran and President Trump declared the deal over. As a result, the future actions of Hezbollah, Iran’s key regional ally, remain uncertain.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed hope on Monday that the talks would lead to practical steps on the ground. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to realize that military actions would not secure lasting peace.