Lebanon–Israel talks in Tampa: six-hour meeting, disagreement over who verifies Hezbollah's disarmament

Military delegations from Lebanon and Israel held a new round of technical talks Tuesday at the headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Florida, under U.S. mediation. According to the Anadolu agency, the meetings lasted about six hours and the first day ended with an agreement to return to the table Wednesday.

The talks aim to review the implementation of the trilateral framework agreement and the so-called “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah is to disarm, Israeli forces are to withdraw and the Lebanese army is to take control.

Beirut's demands

According to Lebanese media, Beirut's delegation proposed a halt to Israeli excavations, house demolitions, gunfire and military operations, as well as arrangements for a withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The issues of prisoners and the return of residents to their villages were also raised.

The most contentious point remains verification. According to diplomatic sources cited by An-Nahar, Israel wants a direct operations room with the Lebanese army, while Lebanon rejects any format that gives Israel a role in monitoring the army's movements. “It is the Israelis and the Lebanese, with the Americans in the middle. That is how it will stay,” a Lebanese official told The National before the meeting.

Low expectations

A Lebanese military source had warned that no major decisions or expansion of the pilot zones are expected. Officials in Beirut believe progress will stall until after the elections in Israel, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the army will remain in the area as long as Hezbollah does not disarm. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, at least 4,389 people have been killed by Israeli strikes since March 2.