US Postpones Lebanon-Israel Military Meeting as Aoun Visits Washington

The United States postponed a virtual military meeting scheduled for July 17, 2026, intended to finalize the technical details of two pilot zones for the initial withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. This meeting was designed to implement a framework agreement reached during a sixth round of U.S.-sponsored negotiations in Rome. While Washington cited the need for more time to complete operational plans and technical files, some military sources attributed the delay to ongoing Israeli military operations and the destruction of border villages.

Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, expressed readiness to implement the pilot zones. However, Israel has maintained it will not vacate a 10-km security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed. In response, the Lebanese army intensified patrols in villages adjacent to occupied areas to prepare for the agreement's implementation.

Amidst these delays, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun departed Beirut for Washington, D.C., on July 18 to meet with President Donald Trump. Aoun aims to discuss strengthening the ceasefire and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces to extend Lebanese state authority nationwide. The diplomatic effort faces domestic opposition from Hezbollah, with lawmaker Ali Fayyad condemning the negotiations and asserting that the Lebanese government is pursuing policies that sacrifice national stability to satisfy the U.S. and Israel.