Lebanon and Israel Set Rome Talks Amid U.S. Mediation

President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon and Israeli officials are scheduled to hold direct, U.S.-mediated talks in Rome on July 15 and 16. The negotiations follow a June 26 framework agreement aimed at a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanese territory. Aoun has conditioned Lebanon's participation on the start of an Israeli military withdrawal from two designated pilot zones, which U.S. Central Command is currently coordinating to transfer to the Lebanese Army.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism regarding a deal, stating at a NATO summit in Ankara that he believes Israel intends to leave. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have contradicted this, asserting that the Israel Defense Forces will remain in security zones for as long as necessary to ensure resident security.

To further these efforts, Aoun is scheduled to visit the White House on July 21 to meet with Trump. Aoun maintains that the United States is the only entity capable of pressuring Israel to halt strikes on Beirut's infrastructure and restore full Lebanese sovereignty. To support the implementation of the ceasefire, U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa announced that a military delegation will travel to Beirut to establish ground mechanisms for the phased withdrawal and prevent a security vacuum.