**US, Lebanese Delegations Meet in Beirut to Discuss Israeli Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon**
*Beirut, Lebanon – July 11, 2026*
Military delegations from the United States and Lebanon convened in Beirut to discuss the implementation of a US-brokered framework agreement aimed at facilitating an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This meeting marks a significant step in the ongoing negotiations following a framework agreement reached on June 26, which outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from areas they currently occupy.
According to Lebanese sources, the discussions primarily focused on establishing a mechanism for the first of two designated "pilot zones" as stipulated in the agreement. US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun prior to the talks, emphasizing the need to determine the implementation strategy for the deal.
The framework agreement entails a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been engaged in operations against Hezbollah. As part of the deal, the Lebanese military, which has historically been limited in its operational capacity, is expected to gain full control over the two pilot zones. However, the agreement does not provide a specific timeline for the withdrawal, and Israeli officials have indicated that their military presence will continue in a designated security zone extending 10 kilometers into Lebanon, contingent on Hezbollah's armament status.
Hezbollah has publicly rejected the framework agreement and opposes direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. The group has maintained its preference for a ceasefire arrangement between the US and Iran, which includes provisions for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Despite recent escalations in violence, including Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah has refrained from retaliatory actions within Lebanon.
The backdrop of these discussions includes a protracted conflict that began in early March following US and Israeli military actions against Iran. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the ongoing war has displaced over a million people in Lebanon, with approximately 732,000 individuals having returned to their homes as of last week. This still leaves around 430,000 people displaced amidst the ongoing hostilities.
Recent reports from Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) indicate that Israeli forces have continued their operations in southern Lebanon, conducting raids in residential areas, including the town of al-Mansouri, where seven individuals were reported injured. Israeli military units have also advanced into regions such as Beit Yahoun, utilizing tanks and bulldozers, and have caused damage to homes and agricultural lands in Houla and Nabatieh.
The upcoming negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are set to continue in Rome next Wednesday and Thursday. Lebanon's participation in these talks is contingent upon Israel's withdrawal from the two pilot zones as outlined in the framework agreement. These discussions are significant, as they precede President Aoun's anticipated visit to Washington later this month, following an invitation from US President Donald Trump.
As the situation evolves, the international community is closely monitoring the developments in Lebanon, particularly in light of the humanitarian crisis and the potential implications of the US-brokered agreement on regional stability.