Now Reading: Israel Holds Back Further Lebanon Withdrawal at Rome Talks
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Israel Holds Back Further Lebanon Withdrawal at Rome Talks
Israel has refused to withdraw from more areas of southern Lebanon until the Lebanese army establishes full control of two initial pilot zones, a Lebanese presidential source told AFP. The seventh round…
The Story in Brief
Israel has refused to withdraw from more areas of southern Lebanon until the Lebanese army establishes full control of two initial pilot zones, a Lebanese presidential source told AFP. The seventh round of talks in Rome, held under US auspices, sought to advance a June framework covering Hezbollah’s disarmament, an Israeli withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment.
The Lebanese source said the talks produced no final agreement on the zones, while a US State Department spokesperson called them productive. Lebanon wants to expand the process, but Israel seeks verification first. The Lebanese army began deploying in one zone on July 21 and strengthened its presence in the second. Israel also carried out strikes after two soldiers died in an explosion on Wednesday.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that the Rome talks have either solved the conflict or failed completely get ahead of the facts. The immediate dispute is narrower: whether Lebanese forces control two test areas well enough for Israel to move back. That will depend not on optimistic statements, but on verified deployment and the absence of attacks. Hezbollah’s refusal to surrender weapons and fresh Israeli strikes make that test harder. The next measurable step is agreement on expansion beyond the two pilot zones.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, ndtv.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
