Middle East08 August, 20262 min read
Joseph Aoun Says Rome Lebanon-Israel Talks Make Positive Progress Despite Hezbollah Opposition
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Rome talks show progress on borders and prisoner return. A US official hailed Rome talks as constructive progress in diplomacy.
Rome talks, pilot zones
Lebanon–Israel negotiations in Rome reported progress on border issues and the return of prisoners, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun saying the talks were the seventh round and opposed by Hezbollah. Aoun said “positive progress” was made on border and prisoner matters and he hoped practical steps would follow, while the U.S. administration would take up the remaining issues of a cease-fire and pilot areas.
The talks were described as aimed at advancing border security arrangements and implementing a framework agreement reached in Washington in late June, with identifying pilot areas as one of the four points. In parallel, Israel’s consideration of Switzerland to supervise a Lebanon agreement was described by i24NEWS as involving senior Swiss officials holding meetings in Jerusalem and Washington since February, with Switzerland presented as a candidate acceptable to both sides.
Deaths amid negotiations
Even as U.S.-backed negotiations continued in Rome, Kurdistan24 reported that Israel announced Thursday that two reservists were killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military identified the soldiers as Major Harel Birenstock, 34, and Sergeant Major Tamir Vaknin, 33, and Kurdistan24 said the deaths were the first Israeli military fatalities reported in southern Lebanon since June 28.
Kurdistan24 also quoted the IDF statement that “In response to a blatant violation of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation, the IDF has begun conducting precise strikes in southern Lebanon,” as negotiators sought a broader security arrangement. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the direct negotiations, saying they would bring “nothing but shame, humiliation” for Lebanon, according to Kurdistan24.
Human cost and next steps
Vatican News said UN-appointed independent human rights experts warned civilians were facing a “devastating and disproportionate toll,” with homes destroyed, towns cut off and many southern communities still inaccessible.
It also reported that the Lebanese health ministry says at least 4,333 people have been killed during the conflict, including 392 women and 253 children, as the Rome talks focused on ceasefire, house demolitions, the border and the return of prisoners.
In Lebanon’s cabinet session coverage, Joseph Aoun asked ministers to stand for a minute of silence in memory of the late minister Michel al-Khoury and said the results of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump were reflected in the lifting of the ban on American Airlines operating to Lebanon.
Aoun further said the American administration would address the ceasefire and experimental zones and that General Joseph Votel would soon arrive in Beirut to follow up on those matters, while the Rome negotiations were described as having made positive progress on borders and prisoners.