ALBAWABA- Israeli drones carried out strikes in southern Lebanon on Monday, damaging a vehicle and targeting areas in the south, while reconnaissance aircraft continued flying over southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, underscoring persistent tensions ahead of a new round of indirect negotiations.
An Israeli drone struck Ali al-Taher Hill in southern Lebanon. In a separate incident, a vehicle caught fire after an Israeli drone dropped a sound bomb in the town of Mansouri. Israeli reconnaissance drones also conducted extensive surveillance flights across southern Lebanon and over Beirut's southern suburbs.
The incidents came as Lebanon and Israel prepare to begin the seventh round of indirect negotiations in Rome on Tuesday. The three-day talks are expected to focus on implementing a framework agreement reached on June 26, which calls for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas in southern Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese army in designated "pilot areas," and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the government remains committed to securing a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Monday, Salam said Lebanon is seeking successive Israeli withdrawals that would ultimately lead to a complete Israeli pullout.
During the previous round of negotiations, the two sides agreed that Israeli forces would withdraw from the outskirts of Zotter al-Gharbiya, one of the designated pilot areas, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy after survey and clearance operations. Residents were subsequently permitted to return.
A U.S. State Department official said last week that technical delegations meeting in Rome would work to advance full implementation of the framework agreement by expanding pilot zones, resolving outstanding border disputes and drafting a comprehensive peace and security agreement.
However, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa cautioned against accelerating the process, warning that moving too quickly could endanger civilians. He said the parties must first agree on "a clear and practical mechanism" before expanding the next phase, arguing that a measured approach would improve the effectiveness of future pilot zones.
Under the agreement, the Lebanese army is expected to deploy in pilot areas, disarm Hezbollah fighters operating there and prevent the presence of any non-state armed groups. The arrangement is intended to serve as a model for broader Israeli withdrawals from southern Lebanon.
The next phase will test both Israel's willingness to withdraw from additional occupied areas and the Lebanese army's ability to establish control and dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure. Hezbollah has rejected calls to disarm, engage in direct negotiations with Israel or recognize the outcomes of the ongoing indirect talks.
The current tensions follow months of conflict that escalated after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during the opening stages of a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon.
