Netanyahu tells cabinet to start direct talks with Lebanon

Lebanon agrees on Israeli ‘pilot zones’ in Rome talks

Lebanon and Israel completed a new round of Washington-mediated negotiations in Rome today during which both sides agreed to implement the “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon agreed under a recent framework deal, a US official said.

“Talks concluded after two days of productive and positive discussions,” the official said, adding that the participants “agreed on the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process, to be finalised and implemented in the coming days”.

The US-brokered negotiations took place in the Italian capital over the framework agreement sealed last month after five rounds of talks in Washington, with Lebanese negotiators hoping for progress on an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The deal seeks an end to the war in Lebanon, disarmament of Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese troops in the south and for Israeli forces to steadily withdraw from the country, starting with two “pilot zones”.

Lebanon and Israel, who have no formal relations, started negotiations after Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah drew its country to the broader Middle East war by attacking Israel in March.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/15/iran-war-latest-donald-trump-strait-of-hormuz-gulf-strikes/

Israel releases video of hidden tunnels below Lebanon’s Beaufort Castle

The video shows water infrastructure, sewage infrastructure and drainage, many facilities for long term stays including a well equipped kitchenette with facilities for cooking plus refrigerators holding large amounts of food, toilets and showers.

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/7/13/israel-releases-video-of-hidden-tunnels-below-lebanons-beaufort-castle#flips-6400996328112:0

The Times of Israel report that Netanyahu, on a visit to the security zone in south Lebanon on Tuesday, reaffirmed that forces would remain there so long as Hezbollah remained a threat.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defended negotiations with Jerusalem on Thursday, saying that Beirut has decided to engage in talks “to guarantee Israel’s withdrawal from its territory”.

Yes obviously not everyone is happy with the peace deal between Lebanon and Israel. Some are quite angry about it.

But Lebanon chose to sign a peace framework that would leave Israeli troops inside occupied southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and the Lebanese army takes control.

They want help getting rid of Hezbollah and with the reconstruction of Lebanon. And they "pledge to work towards the search for and return of remains and the release of detainees."

The problem in all this is getting Hezbollah to leave.

IDF has blown up major Hezbollah tunnel, Netanyahu and Katz announce

Shortly after the peace deal with signed, the IDF demolished a large Hezbollah underground facility in the southern Lebanon village of Majdal Zoun.

The tunnel, which ran some 200 meters and reached depths of over 25 meters under the village, was used by Hezbollah to assemble, store and launch Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles, according to the military.

Journalists were given a tour of the tunnel earlier this month.

In a statement, Netanyahu and Katz say that Israel updated the US and the American representative in Lebanon ahead of the tunnel’s demolition.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-has-blown-up-major-hezbollah-tunnel-netanyahu-and-katz-announce/

Naturally Hezbollah and their supporters aren't happy with the peace deal between Lebanon and Israel.

Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, criticised the Lebanon deal for linking Israel's withdrawal from the country to the disarmament of his militant group. That effectively legitimised the Israeli occupation, he said.

"The framework agreement in Washington is humiliating, shameful and a surrender of sovereignty" he said.

He insisted that Hezbollah would not lay down its arms but continue to fight.

What's in the deal between Israel and Lebanon?

On June 26th, representatives from Israel, Lebanon & the US signed a peace framework that would leave Israeli troops inside occupied southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and the Lebanese army takes control.

These are its main points according to Reuters:

PEACE AND MUTUAL RECOGNITION

Israel and Lebanon affirm each other's right to exist in peace and security as sovereign neighbouring states and express their intent to formally end any state of war between them. Israel and Lebanon will continue U.S.-backed negotiations toward a broad peace agreement.

DISARMAMENT OF HEZBOLLAH

Lebanon's armed forces, the LAF, will gradually restore control over all of Lebanon, disarming Hezbollah and any other militant group.

The first phase will begin in two pilot zones where reconstruction will begin while civilians safely return to those areas from which they fled Israeli attacks.

A future 'Security Annex' to the framework agreement, which is still being worked out, will define all further details, including security arrangements and verification mechanisms. A coordination group, with U.S. participation, will oversee implementation.

EVENTUAL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL

Israel declares it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon and that once Hezbollah is disarmed in all of Lebanon and no longer poses a threat, it will redeploy its troops outside Lebanon.

Effectively, this means that while Israel will pull some troops back, it is not withdrawing from the so-called "security zone" that it is presently occupying in southern Lebanon any time soon.

RECONSTRUCTION

Washington will rally international partners to help Lebanon in rebuilding, repairing infrastructure and restoring the economy through humanitarian and construction aid, investment and recovery programs.

LEGAL MEASURES, DETAINEES

The two countries agree to halt "all hostile or adverse actions in international political or legal fora" and "pledge to work towards the search for and return of remains and the release of detainees."

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/whats-deal-between-israel-lebanon-2026-06-29/

Trump has announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by three weeks. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Netanyahu will visit the White House in the coming weeks as the US seeks to broker a longer lasting peace deal.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations says he's not sure the newly extended ceasefire will fully stop conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"The Lebanese government have no control of Hezbollah," Danny Dannon says in an interview with CNN.

"Hezbollah is sending rockets trying to sabotage the ceasefire, and Israel – we have to retaliate. Every time we see a threat, we take action."

The Israeli military says its air force intercepted several projectiles launched from Lebanon during the peace talks, with sirens sounding in the Shtula area.

Hezbollah says on Telegram that it targeted the area in a rocket attack.

The Israeli military later said it had struck the launcher that fired rockets at Shtula.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0mjev4kn9jt

The Times of Israel report that Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during its meeting with Israel in Washington tomorrow.

A Lebanese official who speaks on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the topic, says “Lebanon will request an extension of the truce for one month, an end of Israel’s bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present, and a commitment to the ceasefire.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said today that “contacts are underway to extend the ceasefire period,” which began last week and is set to expire on Sunday.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-april-22-2026/

I meant our bigger spat and I repeat, it is BORING the way you keep trying to start arguments with me. Now this really is my last reply to you.

No it is obviously up to the person who gets a post deleted to ask MN why.

This is my last reply to you btw. Our little spat is boring to me now.