Naeem Berjawi (Anadolu Agency)

This round comes after five previous negotiating rounds in Washington that resulted in the signing of a framework formula.

The first negotiation session between Lebanon and Israel, held under US auspices, concluded Tuesday evening in the Italian capital Rome.

The Anadolu correspondent reported that today's meeting lasted 7 hours at the US embassy, and the session is scheduled to resume Wednesday.

Five previous negotiating rounds were held in the US capital Washington, culminating in the signing of the 'framework formula'.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed in Washington a 'framework formula' stipulating a gradual Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories, starting with a model implemented in two pilot areas.

The 'framework formula' did not set a timeline for withdrawal, linking it to the Lebanese army assuming full security responsibility in areas from which Israeli forces withdraw, along with disarmament of armed groups, in reference to Hezbollah.

Earlier Tuesday, a senior Lebanese official source told Anadolu that Lebanon and Israel presented their visions regarding the 'model areas' (pilot areas), which are being discussed during the Rome negotiations, aiming to reach an implementation mechanism for the 'framework formula'.

He explained that the negotiations focus on verification mechanisms for the Lebanese army's operational control, establishment of model areas, determining their geographic scope, and setting a timeline for implementation.

The source added that the Israeli side expressed reservations on some clauses and demanded a mechanism to ensure verification of the Lebanese army's deployment and operational control in areas from which Israeli forces will withdraw.

On the Israeli side, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar expressed Tuesday his belief that the Rome negotiations will pave the way for implementing the first two pilot areas in Lebanon.

Sa'ar said in a press conference in West Jerusalem: 'We are ready to move forward with the implementation of the two pilot areas.'

He continued: 'I hope, indeed I am inclined to believe, that this round of talks in Rome will contribute to advancing this process.'

Israel continues its aggression on Lebanon, which began on March 2, 2026, and has resulted in 4,324 deaths and 12,221 injuries, as well as the displacement of over one million people, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades, others since the previous war between 2023 and 2024, and has penetrated more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the current aggression.

In addition to occupying Lebanese land, Israel occupies Palestinian and Syrian territories, and refuses to withdraw from them or to allow the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

The negotiations focus on mechanisms to implement the framework formula, especially disarmament of armed groups and the Lebanese army's control. The absence of a specific timeline for withdrawal remains a key challenge. Israel's reservations on some clauses may prolong the negotiations.