In talks between Lebanon and Israel in Rome last week, both sides discussed which countries might participate in a committee tasked with verifying the Lebanese army\u2019s deployment in the so-called pilot zones from which Israel withdraws.<\/p>\n
So far, two such zones exist, with the ultimate goal being a complete Israeli pullout from southern Lebanon.<\/p>\n
\t The talks last week in Rome were the seventh round since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran.<\/p>\n Israeli forces responded with aerial bombardments and a ground assault, seizing a strip of land extending about 10 km (6 miles) deep into southern Lebanon. More than a million Lebanese civilians were forced to flee their homes. Israel has been destroying significant terror infrastructure in the captured areas.<\/p>\n Lebanon says the Israeli operation has killed more than 4,300 people, without differentiating between combatants and civilians.<\/p>\n Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the direct talks and refuses to surrender its weapons, a point reiterated by Qassem on Friday, who said the framework agreement was nothing more than \u201cIsraeli dictations that the authority signed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael is attempting to bind Lebanon to an inquiry committee that oversees the army\u2019s deployment, operations, and internal details. Where is the patriotism? Where is the dignity of the army that ought to be preserved?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \t Washington on Tuesday announced it would sponsor a new round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Rome in early September.<\/p>\n But Qassem reiterated the group\u2019s rejection of the framework deal and called on Lebanese officials to reverse it, claiming there had not been \u201ca single achievement from the seven rounds of negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will remain steadfast and will not accept surrender or the violation of our country\u2019s sovereignty,\u201d he insisted, adding that the \u201csacrifices\u201d made by Hezbollah and those demanded of Lebanon were \u201can act of faith and will.\u201d<\/p>\n Addressing the terror group\u2019s supporters, Qassem insisted that Hezbollah \u201cwill not abandon you, and we are with you in the same trench.\u201d<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s round of talks in Rome encountered a setback on the second day, ending early amid an escalation in southern Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.<\/p>\n Beirut is also frustrated with the pace of Israeli withdrawals, feeling that Jerusalem is dragging its feet ahead of the October elections, while Israel argues that verification of Hezbollah disarmament must be completed first.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, a State Department spokesperson insisted that the three days of talks last week were \u201cconstructive\u201d and that the sides reached understandings on the parameters that must be met to verify that a particular area has been cleared of Hezbollah infrastructure, in order to \u201cunlock future pilot zones.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tLebanese soldiers man a checkpoint at the entrance to Nabatieh on June 15, 2026 (MAHMOUD ZAYYAT\/AFP)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26189739095053-e1784295215612-640x400.jpg\")
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\n\t\tHezbollah supporters wave Hezbollah and Iranian flags during a gathering in Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs, Lebanon, July 8, 2026. (AP\/Mustafa Jamalddine)<\/p>\n
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