Foreign Relations

Israel Sets Hezbollah Evacuation Demand for Rome Talks

Published

Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of two traditionally dressed Jewish men at a northern Israel memorial between large Lebanese and Israeli flags.

Lebanon will enter the August 4–6 Rome talks demanding a ceasefire, while Israel is insisting that a Hezbollah stronghold be evacuated before further withdrawal steps. The U.S.-brokered negotiations are intended to advance pilot zones in southern Lebanon, where the Lebanese army would take control after Hezbollah's armed presence is removed. Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter has said Israel can withdraw once Hezbollah is dismantled, warning that northern communities cannot again face missiles and attack tunnels. Hezbollah opposes the direct talks and has refused to disarm.

Sources

Secondary sources:12

Related stories

  1. Naim Qassem Calls for Lebanon–Israel Framework to Be Scrapped
  2. Israel Cuts Short Rome Talks With Lebanon Over Repeated Leaks
  3. Rome Talks Turn to Verifying Hezbollah-Free Zones After First Day
  4. Gaza Officials Report 18 Killed as Israel Rejects Halt Deal
  5. U.S. Sets August 4-6 Rome Talks for Israel-Lebanon Framework

Something went wrong

We couldn't complete that action. Check your connection and try again.