This week's negotiations are the seventh round of Washington-mediated talks since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran. Convoys carrying delegations from the two countries arrived in the morning to the US embassy in the Italian capital, where discussions are scheduled to run until Thursday.
At negotiations in Washington in June, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework deal that involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon's south and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the region, starting in test areas known as "pilot zones." Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion that Lebanon says have killed more than 4,300 people.
Who represents each side
Lebanon’s political delegation includes Simon Karam, former U.S. ambassador, and Nada Mouawad, the current ambassador. Military representation is led by Brigadier-General George Rizkallah. Israeli representatives are high-ranking political and military officials, as reported by The Times of Israel. The Lebanese team also includes Antoine Sfeir, a legal adviser, and Najib Massihi, a land-surveying expert.
What was agreed in June
A framework agreement was reached in June under U.S. mediation. The deal required Israel to gradually redeploy troops out of Lebanon, but only after verifying the disarmament of non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah. Despite this, Israel has not fully withdrawn from the Yellow Line, a 10-kilometer buffer zone inside Lebanon.
The agreement outlined a phased, structured process for the Lebanese army to reclaim authority in selected 'pilot zones.' The first pilot zone was Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, where Israel withdrew in July. The next steps could involve areas like Bint Jbeil or Khiam, both south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon. These areas are intended to restore Lebanese sovereignty and security in those regions.
Current conflict status
Hostilities between Israel and Lebanon began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel. This retaliation followed U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in early February. Since then, Israeli forces have occupied large parts of southern Lebanon, killing over 4,000 people. More than one million civilians have been displaced, many from the south and the outskirts of Beirut, as military operations continue.
Although a temporary ceasefire was in place in November 2024, Israel has continued to attack nearly daily. It argues that Hezbollah has violated ceasefire conditions, and it refuses to fully end the occupation, citing national security concerns. The Rome talks aim to reduce further civilian suffering and to establish more defined military boundaries in the region.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Tuesday that the direct negotiations would bring "nothing but shame, humiliation and successive compromises" for Lebanon. In a televised address, he also criticised Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun, saying he "has not acted as an arbiter, nor as a unifying figure, but has become biased and divisive, which is incompatible with his role and with Lebanon's strength." On Monday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged Lebanon and Israel to "continue in a constructive spirit, identifying shared solutions that will allow for the full implementation of the framework agreement," his ministry said.
After talks last month, Israel's military withdrew from the outskirts of the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of the first pilot zones. The Lebanese army deployed to the area and has allowed residents to inspect their homes and businesses. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told a cabinet meeting on Monday that his country was pursuing "efforts towards successive Israeli withdrawals from Lebanese territory, leading to a full withdrawal." A U.S. State Department official had told the AFP news agency that this week's discussions would "include expanding the pilot zone process, resolving all outstanding border issues, and working on a comprehensive peace and security agreement." On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa warned that "moving too quickly risks jeopardising the very civilians this process is meant to protect." "It is better to take the time needed to get this right the first time. Doing so will allow subsequent pilot zones to move forward more efficiently," Issa said. "Both sides must agree on a clear, workable process before proceeding." The Lebanese army's deployment is a major test, with experts expressing doubt over the authorities' ability to disarm Hezbollah, which opposes the Israel deal and refuses to surrender its weapons, and prevent further non-state military activity. Observers say Israel's commitment to withdraw will also be tested when pilot zones are selected in areas fully under its occupation. Violence in Lebanon has decreased since the Lebanon-Israel deal and the signing in June of a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement on the Middle East conflict. But Lebanon continues to report intermittent Israeli strikes and shelling, as well as detonations and demolitions in southern villages.
Lebanese representatives are preparing detailed maps and deployment plans to present during the Rome meetings. These materials outline potential new areas where Israel might agree to withdraw, with the goal of expanding the pilot zone initiative. The aim is for Lebanon to reclaim more of its southern territories under full state control.
The seventh round of talks brings both sides together in the hopes of finalizing a lasting agreement. The U.S. has played a key role in brokering the deal so far, but challenges remain on both sides. For Israel, the buffer zone is seen as a security necessity. For Lebanon, full restoration of sovereignty is the priority.
Hezbollah’s role as a non-state armed group backed by Iran makes their disarmament a key sticking point. The Lebanese army is tasked with restoring authority in the pilot zones, but progress is slow. The U.S. has encouraged both sides to maintain dialogue and find a resolution that satisfies security and territorial concerns.
As the talks progress, the international community is watching closely. The talks in Rome represent another chance to bring stability to a region that has suffered repeated cycles of war and displacement.
The success of the negotiations could depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise. While Israel insists on keeping its buffer zone, Lebanon is pushing for complete sovereignty over its southern territories. The U.S., as mediator, will likely play a crucial role in determining whether a lasting agreement can be reached.
The outcome of these talks could have far-reaching consequences for the region. A successful resolution would reduce the likelihood of further conflict and bring relief to civilians caught in the crossfire. However, with both sides holding firm to their positions, the path to peace remains uncertain.