Official Lebanese sources told Saudi outlet Al-Hadath that the fifth round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is set to begin June 23 and is considered critical for establishing a permanent ceasefire, according to Kan 11's Arab Desk. The sources said the round will discuss a timetable for Israel's withdrawal from a designated 'pilot zone,' and emphasized that the U.S.-Iran agreement specifically includes the ceasefire issue. Lebanese officials stressed there is no going back on disarming Hezbollah and deploying the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon.
The fifth round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations is expected to open on June 23, according to official Lebanese sources cited by Saudi outlet Al-Hadath and relayed by Kan 11's Arab Desk. The sources described the round as critical for establishing a permanent ceasefire. The negotiations are set to include discussion of a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from what is described as a 'pilot zone' — likely referring to areas of southern Lebanon where the IDF maintains a presence under the November 2024 ceasefire understandings.
The Lebanese sources added that the recently reported U.S.-Iran agreement specifically includes the issue of a ceasefire in Lebanon, and that this agreement is expected to increase pressure on Israel to withdraw gradually. The sources stressed that there can be no reneging on Hezbollah's disarmament and the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon — long-standing Lebanese demands that were part of the 2024 ceasefire framework.
As The Zioneer reported earlier on Thursday, the round was discussed by Lebanese officials and is seen in Beirut as a decisive moment for solidifying the ceasefire. The talks were originally expected to begin on June 22 but were reportedly delayed by one day, according to Lebanese sources cited by Kan 11 on Thursday morning. The round comes amid continued U.S.-Iran talks and stalled implementation of the ceasefire, with the IDF maintaining that it operates along the border to counter Hezbollah threats. The specifics of the 'pilot zone' and the withdrawal timeline remain unconfirmed pending the talks.
2 developments
- DevelopingReport: Fifth round of Lebanon-Israel border talks to open in Washington on June 22
- DevelopingIsrael and Lebanon set for next round of talks as Trump urges 'softer touch' toward Hezbollah
- DevelopingIDF says Lebanon withdrawal to be discussed in US talks next week
- DevelopingReport: US-Iran Ceasefire Terms Expand to Lebanon; Bou Saab Details Plan for Hezbollah Disarmament
Source and signal
- Internal intake