Lebanon-Israel: 'positive' atmosphere at the Rome meeting

This Tuesday marks the sixth round of direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli delegations, held this time in a European capital — Rome — rather than Washington.

From the very first day, an initial breakthrough: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced from Jerusalem that Israel is ready to "move forward" with the implementation of two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, according to AFP. However, under the terms of the June 26 framework agreement, implementation of the zones must begin with an Israeli withdrawal.

He described the process, led under US auspices, as the "only way forward."

Also according to AFP, the Lebanese delegation "was instructed to demand the immediate start of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two pilot zones before any further discussion," the Lebanese presidency had indicated on Monday evening.

According to a Lebanese diplomatic source familiar with the substance of the negotiations, "the Lebanese army is ready to gradually take control of the localities from which the Israeli army withdraws."

The July 14 meeting ended around 6 p.m. and was described as "positive" by LBC sources.

This first confirmation of a result is significant for the Lebanese, even though many more details remain to be discussed and obstacles are plentiful.

These negotiations will be a test on multiple fronts for the Lebanese side, which is under pressure to deliver results during this round, given the progress made in the previous one in June that led to a framework agreement.

The main focus of these talks, therefore, is the establishment of "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon from which the Israeli army must withdraw so that the Lebanese army can deploy, with no Hezbollah presence whatsoever.

However, this process still faces significant opposition on the Lebanese political scene. Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan stated on Monday that "this framework agreement is tripartite in appearance only, when in reality it is unilateral — meaning Israeli."

Opposition to the framework agreement also comes from his ally, Amal movement leader and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry, who made a notable statement on Tuesday.

While apparently hostile to the continuation of direct negotiations, he nonetheless leaves the door open to a degree of flexibility. "The pilot zones are rejected," Berry said in an interview with the newspaperal-Joumhouria, arguing that these zones should have been far larger, "otherwise the withdrawal will take two years."

He did, however, add this enigmatic remark: "If I notice the slightest sign of success, I am prepared to stay silent — but I see none."

Although Israel claims to be willing to withdraw from buffer zones, it continues on the ground to carry out demolitions in southern villages. On Tuesday, it was noted that the Israeli army particularly targeted the area expected to become one of the pilot zones — the two villages known as Zawtar (east and west).

Regardless, the Lebanese authorities are showing consistency in pressing ahead with these negotiations, despite all the challenges.

From the Baabda Palace, developments are being closely monitored, with results not expected to be known until tomorrow in principle.

President Joseph Aoun, who was in Qatar along with his wife to offer condolences for the death of the country's former emir, Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, closely followed the Rome talks. He is also preparing for his visit to Washington on July 21.

The Iranian front still ablaze

In southern Lebanon, on the ground, the semblance of a truce — at least on Hezbollah's side, which appears to need it to regroup — persists despite the deteriorating situation on the Iranian front.

American strikes on Iran continued throughout the night from Monday into Tuesday and throughout the day on Tuesday, and the blockade promised by US President Donald Trump takes effect at 8 p.m. (Levant time).

Iranians have condemned new strikes on the city of Bushehr, where the nuclear power plant is located.

The turmoil around the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of hostilities have triggered a fresh surge in oil prices, with the barrel once again crossing the $80 mark.

Negotiations appear to be at an impasse for the time being, with the exception of a statement by President Trump on Tuesday in which he suggested that a deal is still "possible".

In a television interview, however, he stressed that the memorandum of understanding was a "test" for the Iranians, and that they had shown they were unable to abide by it.

He assured that victory will be American, whether through negotiations or war.

Meanwhile, according to Arab media outlets, the U.S. military is currently deploying more than 50,000 troops in the region.

The Iranians, for their part, are attempting to respond — still through increased strikes on countries in the region, while sparing Israel for the time being.

Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan have all had to intercept Iranian missiles.

These attacks were directly claimed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as were the ongoing strikes targeting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Another direct offensive move from Iran came in the form of a bill passed by the Iranian Parliament imposing a toll on vessels transiting the Strait — a response to President Trump's statement the day before, in which he said he wanted countries to pay for the protection of their ships passing through.

It should be noted that natural straits are, by international law, free passages for all vessels, and only services provided by neighboring countries can be charged for.

Meanwhile, Monday evening's ballistic missile attack on a Saudi airport — launched from Houthi rebel-controlled territory in Yemen, with the Houthis being Iranian allies — continues to draw statements of support for the kingdom.

Most notable among these are those coming from Lebanon, particularly from President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, which serve as clear signals of solidarity with Saudi Arabia against the Iranian axis.