Washington, Jun 26 (V7N) – US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon on a partial Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon have been extended for another day after negotiators failed to reach an agreement during the latest round of discussions.
According to officials, the two sides are scheduled to resume negotiations at the US State Department in Washington on Friday following the conclusion of a third day of talks without a breakthrough.
An Israeli embassy spokesperson said no agreement was reached on Thursday, but both delegations agreed to continue discussions in an effort to narrow remaining differences.
The United States had hoped the current round of negotiations would produce a framework agreement under which the Israeli military would partially withdraw from selected areas in southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to take control. The proposed areas of responsibility transfer have been identified as "pilot zones."
An Israeli source involved in the negotiations stressed that the proposal does not involve a full military withdrawal. Under the plan, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would retain control of a six-mile-deep buffer zone along the southern Lebanese border while withdrawing only from areas where it says Hezbollah's military infrastructure has already been dismantled.
Israeli officials argue that Hezbollah used numerous border villages to plan and launch attacks against Israel, prompting extensive military operations that left several communities heavily damaged.
A source familiar with the negotiations said the first two days of talks were particularly challenging, although Thursday's discussions produced signs of limited progress.
The negotiations have also been complicated by dissatisfaction from both Israel and Lebanon over a recent US-Iran understanding that included a ceasefire arrangement affecting Lebanon. Officials from both sides believe the agreement has weakened the foundation of the direct talks, which Washington initially promoted as part of broader efforts to reduce Iranian influence in Lebanon.
Israeli negotiators have therefore maintained a firm position, offering only a limited troop withdrawal, while Lebanese representatives continue to press for a broader Israeli military pullback as negotiations remain ongoing.
END/SMA/AJ
