Lebanon-Israel talks in US end without breakthrough

Two days of military talks between Lebanon and Israel at the headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Florida, appear to have ended without a breakthrough, as Israel continues its attacks on southern Lebanon and rejects Lebanese demands for a third-party mechanism to verify the Lebanese army's operations.

Lebanese military sources told The New Arab on Thursday that no further negotiating session had been scheduled, although concluding bilateral discussions with CENTCOM could still take place.

The sources said the United States was expected to issue a statement on the talks, which have been dominated by disagreements over monitoring the Lebanese army's activities in designated pilot areas of southern Lebanon and Israel's refusal to halt its military operations.

"No breakthrough has been recorded so far. There is intransigence in Israeli positions, while the Lebanese side is holding firm to its demands that steps must be reciprocal," the sources said.

They stressed that Lebanon could not be expected to fulfil its commitments unilaterally while Israel continued its attacks, bulldozing operations, demolitions, explosions and ground incursions.

The Lebanese army has also rejected Israeli demands for direct coordination between the two militaries on the ground.

Instead, Beirut is insisting on an independent verification mechanism involving third parties, potentially including France, the United States and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), similar to the committee established to monitor the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

"The Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties, and all Israeli allegations against it are false," the military sources said.

They argued that Israel's continuing attacks and violations were the main obstacles to the army's deployment and the implementation of agreements, as had been the case following the ceasefire on 27 November 2024.

Dispute over Israeli withdrawal and disarmament

Lebanon is demanding that Israel halt its military attacks and operations across the south, which continue to endanger the lives of the area's residents.

Beirut is also pressing for farmers to be allowed access to their land to harvest crops, alongside broader demands for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the release of prisoners, the return of displaced residents and reconstruction.

Lebanese authorities are calling for a clear timetable to implement the commitments outlined in a framework agreement signed with Israel in Washington on 26 June.

The agreement is intended to advance Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory while the Lebanese state extends its authority across the country through its own security forces and establishes a monopoly over weapons.

However, major disagreements remain over how these commitments should be implemented.

Israel has refused to expand the pilot areas designated for Lebanese army operations beyond a single zone announced in July, which includes the towns of Srifa, Froun and western Zawtar.

Israeli authorities claim the Lebanese army has failed to disarm Hezbollah in these areas and are pushing for direct military coordination through joint operations rooms.

Lebanon has rejected this demand, insisting that any verification must be carried out through an independent mechanism rather than direct cooperation with the Israeli military.

Israel has also refused to suspend its attacks or abandon the security zone it has established in southern Lebanon.

Washington, meanwhile, is attempting to narrow the differences between the two sides and maintain the negotiations, viewing the June framework agreement as the principal route towards stability and security.

Israeli attacks continue across southern Lebanon

The diplomatic deadlock coincided with another day of Israeli military escalation in southern Lebanon.

On Thursday, Israeli forces carried out two explosions in the towns of Tallouseh and Bani Hayyan in the Marjayoun district, according to reports from southern Lebanon.

Israeli aircraft also struck the outskirts of Qantara in Marjayoun and Kfar Tebnit in the Nabatieh district.

Israeli tanks were seen advancing towards the Nabaa al-Khoukh area on the outskirts of Hebbariyeh in the Hasbaya district and artillery shelling tageted several towns in south Lebanon.

The attacks have continued despite diplomatic efforts to secure an Israeli withdrawal and advance arrangements for the Lebanese army's deployment in the south.

Lebanese officials have repeatedly said that the ongoing Israeli military operations are obstructing reconstruction, preventing displaced residents from returning home and exposing civilians to further danger.

Lebanese cabinet faces explosives case

Separately, Lebanon's cabinet was due to meet at Baabda Palace on Thursday afternoon under the chairmanship of President Joseph Aoun, with a politically sensitive explosives case expected to feature on the agenda.

The Justice Ministry has requested that the case involving explosives seized in Dahr al-Baydar on 5 October and in al-Qasr, in Baalbek-Hermel governorate, on 9 October be referred to the Judicial Council, Lebanon's highest court for cases involving state security.

The request also covers any other matters found by investigators to be directly or indirectly connected to the seized explosives.

According to information obtained by The New Arab, extensive political and judicial consultations have taken place, including discussions involving Lebanon's president, prime minister, and Speaker of Parliment, who represent the country's three largest religious sects, over the potential consequences of referring the case to the Judicial Council.

Approval of the request could trigger a confrontation with Hezbollah.

Some political figures have favoured delaying a decision until security and judicial investigations, which remain at an early stage, have progressed further.

However, several ministers, particularly those opposed to Hezbollah, are insisting that the case should be referred to the Judicial Council.

Sources close to Justice Minister Adel Nassar told The New Arab that the seriousness of the case required such a referral.

"The gravity of the case requires its referral to the Judicial Council. This concerns the country's national security, and there can be no leniency or complacency," the sources said.

They stressed that investigations were continuing and that the ministry was determined to pursue the case without granting special treatment to anyone.

"We are determined to move forward with the investigations, without leniency towards anyone. That era is over," they added.