**Title: Israel and Lebanon Engage in U.S.-Backed Talks for Territorial Handover**
In a significant development, Lebanon and Israel are currently engaged in discussions regarding a U.S.-backed proposal aimed at facilitating the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain territories in southern Lebanon. This initiative, which involves the transfer of control to the Lebanese army, is being deliberated during ongoing talks in Washington, according to officials from both nations.
The discussions come in the wake of a conflict that erupted when Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, initiated hostilities against Israel in support of Iran. The conflict has seen Israeli forces occupy a substantial portion of southern Lebanon, with the Israeli government citing security concerns as the reason for their continued presence in the region.
Despite a ceasefire that has largely held since Sunday, marking the longest period of calm since the onset of hostilities, Israeli troops remain deployed deep within southern Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that Israel would not withdraw its forces from the region, even under pressure from the U.S. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, asserting that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon for as long as necessary to ensure the security of northern Israel.
As part of the proposed pilot scheme, Israeli officials indicated that Lebanese troops would undergo U.S. training and vetting to ensure they do not have ties to Hezbollah. This aspect of the plan aims to bolster the credibility and effectiveness of the Lebanese army in managing security within the proposed zones. However, Israeli forces would maintain a military presence in a buffer zone along the border to mitigate potential threats from Hezbollah.
A senior Lebanese security official confirmed that discussions in Washington are ongoing, with specific military-to-military talks scheduled to focus on the details of the pilot zones. The official noted that a timeline for the Israeli withdrawal would be a key point of discussion, although no concrete plan is expected to emerge until the conclusion of the talks on Thursday.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has also acknowledged the ongoing discussions regarding the proposed pilot areas, which are contingent upon Israeli approval. The Lebanese army, which draws recruits from the diverse sectarian landscape of the country, has historically received U.S. military aid aimed at strengthening state security institutions, especially in light of concerns regarding Hezbollah's influence.
Hezbollah, which was established by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, has consistently opposed the Lebanese government's engagement in U.S.-backed negotiations with Israel, viewing it as a betrayal of Lebanese sovereignty. The group has called for the government to withdraw from these high-level talks, which represent some of the most significant contacts between Lebanon and Israel in decades.
The backdrop to these discussions includes Iran's recent demands for a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of its negotiations with the United States. This agreement stipulates an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, and emphasizes the need to uphold Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations has reiterated that Lebanon is an integral part of this agreement, which includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region.
In a related development, a joint statement issued following U.S.-Iranian talks in Switzerland indicated that both parties had agreed to establish a "de-confliction cell." This mechanism is intended to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and to monitor the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. The U.S. has expressed its commitment to forming this cell, with operational details still under review.
The proposal for Lebanese army-controlled "pilot zones" was initially part of a ceasefire plan agreed upon by Lebanese and Israeli officials on June 3. However, Hezbollah rejected this plan, which was contingent upon the group ceasing fire and withdrawing its fighters from parts of southern Lebanon.
As discussions continue, the outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for the security landscape in the region, particularly in the context of U.S.-Iran relations and the role of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The next few days are expected to be critical in determining the future of Israeli-Lebanese relations and the potential for a more stable security environment in southern Lebanon.