ROME: The Israeli army carried out a series of large-scale controlled explosions and road demolitions in southern Lebanon, even as negotiators from both nations concluded the second day of US-sponsored diplomatic talks in Rome.
The latest round of direct negotiations, hosted at the US Embassy in Rome, is aimed at implementing a landmark framework agreement signed on June 26. This peace framework outlines a phased Israeli military withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanese territory, starting with two designated “pilot areas”. Under the US-brokered terms, these vacated zones are to be handed over to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which will assume full security responsibility and oversee the disarmament of non-state armed groups, specifically Hezbollah.
The diplomatic track faces intense pressure from ongoing military actions on the ground. Early on Wednesday morning, Israeli forces conducted powerful blasts in the eastern neighbourhood of the border town of Khiam, followed by another large explosion in the town of Qantara. Wide-scale demolitions also targeted valleys and residential properties in Beit Yahoun. Concurrently, Israeli military bulldozers began tearing up roads connecting the city of Bint Jbeil to the border town of Maroun al-Ras. In separate incidents, Israeli forces opened fire on Lebanese civilians attempting to access their agricultural orchards near Majdal Zoun and Mansouri.
Despite the active hostilities, which have claimed over 4,300 lives in Lebanon since March, political leaders are defending the diplomatic process. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed strong backing for the US-sponsored framework, calling it “the best possible option” to end the bloodshed and safeguard national sovereignty.
However, deep operational rifts persist between the two delegations. The Lebanese delegation, acting on presidential instructions, has demanded an immediate start to the Israeli military pullback from the pilot zones. Conversely, Israel is demanding verifiable proof and strict oversight mechanisms to guarantee that the Lebanese Army can successfully prevent Hezbollah from re-entering these areas once Israeli troops withdraw.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll across the region continues to climb. In the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 13 Palestinians and injured 18 others over the last 24 hours, marking continued violations of the nominal ceasefire agreement that has been in place since October 2025.
