Israel and Lebanon have reached an initial agreement on the first two pilot security zones following two days of U.S.-brokered talks in Rome, with both sides describing the discussions as positive and reporting progress toward implementing the existing ceasefire framework, i24NEWS reported.

The negotiations focused on practical steps for implementing the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, including phased Israeli withdrawals from designated areas, expanded deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and mechanisms aimed at preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing a presence in the pilot zones. Lebanese presidential sources described the talks as “very constructive” and said an announcement identifying the two pilot areas is expected in the coming days, with implementation intended to begin in those locations first.

According to an Israeli official, the pilot areas are designed to test the Lebanese state’s ability to assert control through Lebanese Army deployments, with compliance to be verified by a third party. The official said neither UNIFIL nor UNTSO would be part of any future verification mechanism. Lebanese officials said they are open to a U.S. proposal under which a third party would verify that the pilot areas remain free of Hezbollah fighters after implementation.

The Israeli official said the Rome talks reinforced the need to continue implementing the agreement between Israel and Lebanon and to disarm Hezbollah. Any expansion of the pilot-area model to additional locations will depend on the successful implementation of the first phase. Lebanese presidential sources also ruled out any meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling such a meeting “completely unacceptable,” while confirming that Aoun’s upcoming visit to Washington will include a meeting with President Trump.

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