Israeli and Lebanese officials will meet in Rome next week to continue negotiations.

Officials from Israel and Lebanon will meet in Rome next week, between August 4 and 6, to continue the work of implementing a peace agreement mediated by the U.S. These discussions come after the Israeli army handed over control of areas in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

A U.S. State Department official stated that the discussions will focus on advancing the full implementation of the framework agreement announced at the end of June, which includes expanding the pilot zone process and resolving border issues. This framework is considered by officials to be the only path to sustainable peace, and the experience from the initial areas will help refine the implementation. The goal is to restore the authority of the Lebanese state and disarm terrorist organizations, thereby strengthening the trust necessary for the next steps.