Lead:
Diplomatic momentum is building around Lebanon as the next round of Lebanon-Israel negotiations is confirmed for Rome on July 15 and 16, with CENTCOM coordinating the process. At the same time, Israeli forces continue strikes across southern Lebanese towns, and sharp disagreements have emerged among Lebanese political and armed factions over the concept of a so-called "trial withdrawal" — casting uncertainty over whether any diplomatic progress can translate into tangible change on the ground.
Details:
According to Al-Diyar, the upcoming Rome talks will not include U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa, with American representation limited to a State Department official alongside a CENTCOM officer. A U.S. military delegation has already arrived in Beirut and begun meetings with Lebanese Army command to discuss mechanisms for implementing a trial Israeli withdrawal from a zone situated between two UNIFIL-monitored sectors. Al-Diyar and Al-Markazia both report that the contours of this withdrawal remain deeply ambiguous, with informed sources warning that Israel is attempting to impose its own definition of the process — proposing villages for withdrawal that fall largely outside the designated areas.
Al-Diyar further reports that a source within the Shiite duo stated that Hezbollah firmly rejects any coordination tied to the trial withdrawal concept, describing it as "extremely dangerous." Former Deputy Speaker Elie Ferzli, speaking to Al-Diyar, said that a major internal confrontation between the Lebanese Army and the resistance is not imminent, noting that such a clash would require either a direct collision of interests or external authorization — neither of which is present. Meanwhile, Al-Nahar reports "positive indicators" suggesting a possible synchronized launch of the two trial zones coinciding with the opening of the Rome round.
On the military front, Al-Diyar and Shafaqna Lebanon document ongoing Israeli strikes targeting multiple southern towns including Mansouri in the Tyre district and the villages of Deir Siryan and Huwla in Marjayoun. Israeli forces also demolished residential structures in Huwla. Yedioth Ahronoth, cited by Al-Markazia and Al-Diyar, quoted Israeli security officials confirming that no withdrawal orders have been issued and that Israeli forces intend to maintain a security strip and conduct what they described as a comprehensive clearing operation. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, cited by Al-Diyar, warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may escalate against Lebanon and provoke a broader confrontation with Iran as a tactic to avoid electoral defeat.
Domestically, the Al-Liqa al-Dimuqrati bloc, chaired by MP Timur Jumblat, convened and renewed its support for exclusive state control over weapons while demanding a full Israeli withdrawal. MP Bilal al-Hushaymi stressed the importance of backing any agreement that protects Lebanese sovereignty, cautioning that Lebanon risks suffering the fate of Gaza.
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