At a time when American efforts are accelerating to implement the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, and to arrange the Israeli withdrawal from areas in southern Lebanon, Israeli military operations continue, threatening diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing the calm between the two sides.
An American military delegation arrived in Lebanon on Saturday, and began meetings with the Lebanese Army leadership to discuss mechanisms for implementing the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the first “experimental” area in the south of the country.
A Lebanese military source explained to Agence France-Presse that these arrangements come in preparation for the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, stressing that the main task of the delegation is to translate the framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel in Washington late last June into practical steps, starting with implementing the first Israeli withdrawal from an experimental area.
In Washington, an American official said: “We are now in the implementation phase of the framework,” noting that the first experimental area will be launched within days, while maps for additional experimental areas are currently being prepared and planned.
He added that the US Central Command (Centcom) will coordinate in this regard with the two countries, pointing out that Washington will soon begin communicating with international partners to effectively help the Lebanese government restore its sovereignty in these areas and throughout the country more broadly.
Lebanon requires Israel’s withdrawal from two experimental areas before participating in a new negotiating round scheduled in Rome on July 15 and 16, while the framework agreement does not specify a timetable for withdrawal.
On the other hand, Israel is committed to keeping its forces inside a security zone 10 kilometers deep until the party is disarmed, which the party rejects, stressing its adherence to its weapons and its rejection of any direct negotiation with the Israeli side.
It is expected that the Rome tour will be preceded by the visit of President Joseph Aoun to Washington, at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, during the last week of this July.
On the ground, the Israeli army continued, on Saturday, to carry out air strikes, artillery shelling, and bombing operations on homes in various areas of southern Lebanon.
The National News Agency reported that three raids targeted the Al-Mashaa neighborhood in the town of Al-Mansouri in the district of Tyre, while a drone raided the town of Majdal Zoun, coinciding with the continuation of bombing operations on homes in the town of Hula in the district of Marjayoun.
An Israeli march also launched a raid in two batches targeting the town of Kafr Tibnit, while the past hours witnessed a warplane raid and two drone strikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, in addition to artillery shelling that targeted the towns of Kunine and Beit Yahoun.
On June 26, the Lebanese and Israeli governments reached a security agreement with American mediation, under which Israel handed over two areas to the Lebanese army.
Israel has established what it calls a security zone about 10 kilometers deep inside Lebanon from the southern border, considering it necessary to protect the northern settlements from Hezbollah attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Lebanese territory where Israeli forces are deployed, and informed soldiers that Israel will not withdraw from southern Lebanon as long as the party, supported by Iran, poses a threat.
