Lebanon and Israel still split over disarming Hezbollah at Rome talks

What the report says

Lebanon and Israel are continuing United States-brokered talks in Rome on a fragile ceasefire arrangement, but the two sides remain divided over how and when Hezbollah should be disarmed and how far Israeli forces should withdraw from southern Lebanon. According to Al Jazeera’s reporting, the meetings on Wednesday marked the second day of the second round in Rome and the seventh overall round, following earlier sessions in Washington.

A senior Lebanese official said Tuesday’s discussions were split between political and military tracks. Lebanon presented its position on the border file, while the security discussions focused on verification arrangements for any withdrawal and on the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons. The official said Israel had not yet responded on its commitment to the ceasefire. One point of debate was Ali Taher Hill near Nabatieh, which Israel says is linked to Hezbollah infrastructure. Beirut, however, says there are no Israeli forces in place there to be replaced.

The talks also touched on possible “pilot zones” where the Lebanese army would take full security responsibility in exchange for limited Israeli pullbacks. Earlier Rome negotiations reportedly produced an Israeli withdrawal from the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, followed by Lebanese army deployment and the return of residents. Lebanon is also pressing Israel to stop demolitions and strikes in the south.

The wider context remains tense: Hezbollah is not taking part in the talks, and Lebanese politics remain split over the group’s role. Al Jazeera reported that the negotiations matter because they are intended to support a ceasefire and possibly create a broader security framework, but immediate progress appears limited.