US-Mediated Israel-Lebanon Talks Postponed Amid Ongoing Military Operations
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirms negotiations are on hold as Israeli forces continue strikes and building demolitions in southern Lebanon.
Quick Look
- The next round of US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon has been postponed until October.
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated negotiations are currently halted while Israeli forces continue strikes and building demolitions across southern Lebanon.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A framework agreement announced in June aimed to have the Lebanese army disarm Hezbollah in specific zones. Israel maintains it must keep forces in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah's return.
The next round of United States-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon has been postponed as Israeli forces continue to strike and demolish buildings across southern Lebanon.
In a sudden visit to the war-stricken southern city of Nabatieh on Saturday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that “there will be no new negotiations with Israel at the moment.
“Withdrawal, the return of prisoners and displaced people, and reconstruction are national principles that we pledge to implement,” he was quoted as saying.
Earlier, the AFP news agency quoted an unnamed US official as saying the next round of talks scheduled for this month in Rome will not be happening until October.
The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors will instead meet at the Department of State next week to discuss the continued implementation of a framework agreement announced in June, the official said.
Under that agreement, the Lebanese army would disarm Hezbollah in so-called “pilot zones”. The Lebanese armed group has rejected direct talks with Israel.
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement pledging their forces would remain in southern Lebanon, to stop Hezbollah re-establishing its presence there.
Campaign of detonations
The same day, Israeli forces detonated 1,100 tonnes of explosives at what they claimed was a Hezbollah central command complex built into the Ali al-Taher Ridge, causing tremors throughout surrounding areas in southern Lebanon.
Nabatieh, which sits below the ridge, has been a strategic flashpoint in the war that Israel says it has gained operational control over after weeks of fighting.
Israeli attacks in the area have killed at least 29 people in the last two weeks, including 12 members of the same family in an air raid on Kfar Ramman, which neighbours Nabatieh.
On Saturday, heavy explosions shook the town of al-Mansouri, heard and felt as far as Tyre and its surrounding areas, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported. Israeli artillery also shelled the Douha area of Kfar Reman, the outskirts of Arnoun and Wadi al-Salouqi.
A day earlier, Israeli forces blew up most of al-Mansouri’s public school, leaving a small section standing, and carried out a two-wave air raid on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, NNA reported. Israeli drones also flew low over Beirut and its southern suburbs.
The reports added that Israeli forces had begun demolishing homes using drones to drop barrels of explosive material on roofs.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to meet at the US Department of State next week.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will the talks resume in October as suggested?
- What is the current status of the June framework agreement?
