A new round of U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon is set to take place in Rome from August 4-6 as both sides seek to build on recent security understandings along the northern border.

According to a U.S. State Department official, technical teams will focus on expanding the pilot security zones in southern Lebanon, addressing unresolved land border disputes, and advancing implementation of the U.S.-brokered framework agreement.

The official said momentum has grown following the launch of the first pilot zone in southern Lebanon and last week’s meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and President Donald Trump.

The pilot zone is intended to strengthen the authority of the Lebanese government by disarming armed groups, including Hezbollah, while building confidence for broader security arrangements. Officials hope the mechanisms developed during the initial phase can eventually be expanded to other areas of southern Lebanon.

The U.S. official said the broader objective is to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive peace and security agreement between Israel and Lebanon, though it remains unclear whether the upcoming talks will produce any final understandings.

Neither the Israeli nor Lebanese governments have officially commented on the details of the upcoming negotiations.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)