Rome: The third and final day of the seventh round of US-brokered direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel concluded in Rome on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official told Anadolu. The discussions focused on military, political, legal, and border issues, including the complex matter of prisoners.
According to Anadolu Agency, the talks began about an hour late due to 'US-related reasons' and were structured around three parallel meetings. The military discussions concentrated on technical matters, emphasizing consultations on military terminology and wording. The prisoner discussions followed two tracks: international law and the exchange of prisoner lists. The Lebanese side faced challenges due to an absence of prisoner lists but described the discussions as positive, indicating efforts to engage the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The political talks addressed two main issues: the proposed 'model areas' for Israel's phased withdrawal and Lebanon's demand for the renewal and full implementation of the ceasefire. The Israeli delegation sought details about these proposed locations to assess conditions, including geographical factors. Although no breakthrough was reached, Lebanon suggested several sites, including Zawtar al-Sharqiya in southern Nabatieh province.
Further negotiations explored a potential new security agreement to manage the border situation, focusing on whether it should be legally referenced by the UN or Washington. The recent Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon was not directly addressed but was acknowledged through an existing mechanism established on October 27.
A preliminary date of September 1 was proposed for the next round of negotiations, with the US continuing consultations before finalizing the date. Beirut received a US commitment to address Israel's recent alleged ceasefire violations. The seventh round, which began Tuesday and concluded Thursday, was the second hosted by Rome after five rounds in Washington.
The talks occurred amid ongoing Israeli military actions, including drone and warplane flights over Beirut and Tyre, mock air raids, and strikes in southern Lebanon. On Thursday, eight people were injured in an escalation in the Tyre district. Beirut and Tel Aviv signed a US-mediated framework agreement on June 26, providing for phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, beginning with a pilot model in designated areas. The framework also calls for the Lebanese army's deployment and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli operations since March 2 have resulted in 4,333 deaths and 12,250 injuries.