The Lebanese delegation, led by former ambassador to Washington Simon Karam, left Beirut for Rome on Monday for a new round of talks with Israel under American mediation. According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Liwaa, the delegation carries explicit instructions from Beirut to condition discussion of any other topics on the presentation of a clear roadmap for IDF withdrawal from additional areas in southern Lebanon. Diplomatic sources say the talks will focus on a mechanism for gradual IDF withdrawal, Lebanese Army deployment, and stabilization measures along the border.
The departure of the Lebanese delegation to Rome marks the latest diplomatic effort to stabilize the border following months of intense IDF operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The delegation, headed by Simon Karam, a former ambassador to the United States, includes representatives from the Lebanese political and security establishment.
The instructions carried by the delegation reflect Beirut's demand that any progress in the talks be tied to a concrete Israeli withdrawal plan. Areas mentioned as part of the Lebanese proposals include Bint Jbeil, Al-Khiyam, and Nabatieh — locations that have been focal points of the IDF's ground maneuver since June 2026.
Israel, for its part, continues to insist that any withdrawal be conditioned on preventing Hezbollah's return to border areas and effective enforcement by the Lebanese Army. The previous ceasefire framework brokered in 2025 effectively lapsed due to Hezbollah's continued presence south of the Litani River, as The Zioneer has reported.
The current round of talks is the first since the escalation in June 2026, and the outcome remains uncertain. The Zioneer will continue to monitor developments.
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