Lebanese MTV reports that during talks in Washington on Wednesday night, Israel and Lebanon exchanged maps. The discussion is now centered on determining the pace of Israeli withdrawal from specific locations and the handover timeline to the Lebanese army, according to a Lebanese media report.
The fifth round of bilateral military talks between Israel and Lebanon, now in its second day in Washington, took a concrete step late Wednesday: the sides exchanged maps of southern Lebanon, Lebanese channel MTV reported early Thursday. The report, attributed to MTV's sources, says the cartographic exchange has narrowed the discussion to two parameters — the pace at which Israeli forces withdraw from specific positions, and the timetable for handing those sites to the Lebanese army.
This follows Wednesday evening's report that the talks had opened maps, with disagreement emerging over both the pace of withdrawal and the specific areas, while some pullback from military positions is expected rather than a full exit. The Thursday morning MTV report suggests the gap has narrowed: the core dispute is now over the rhythm of pullback rather than over whether it would happen.
Previous rounds, including the fifth round's opening, left key gaps unresolved. As The Zioneer reported at 05:59 Jerusalem, the fifth round ended without bridging differences on which areas the IDF should vacate first. Hezbollah has warned it will resume operations if the IDF does not withdraw from all Lebanese territory.
The map swap is the most concrete procedural step reported since the talks began. No statement from the Israeli delegation regarding the maps has been published.
3 developments
- DevelopingIsrael-Lebanon withdrawal talks underway at the Pentagon
- StrongReport: Military talks between Israel and Lebanon show some progress in Washington
- DevelopingIDF says Lebanon withdrawal to be discussed in US talks next week
- DevelopingIsrael and Lebanon discuss US pilot plan for handover of southern Lebanon territory
Source and signal
- Internal intake