Lebanon Awaits Trump-Netanyahu Talks Over Israeli Withdrawal

Beirut urges Washington to ensure implementation of border agreement as tensions rise in southern Lebanon

Lebanon is closely watching the outcome of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid growing concerns over Israel’s commitment to withdrawing from southern Lebanon under a US-backed framework agreement.

The talks come one week after a Lebanese-US summit in Washington, where Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told Trump that accelerating Israel’s withdrawal would remove Hezbollah’s justification for maintaining its weapons.

A senior Lebanese official said Washington had shown an understanding of Beirut’s position during the closed-door discussions.

According to the official, President Trump instructed US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who attended the meeting, to contact Netanyahu and encourage Israeli cooperation on the withdrawal process in line with the framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel following negotiations in Washington in late June.

“The agreement must be implemented because it carries the signature of the United States,” the official said.

Lebanon Accuses Israel of Violations

Lebanese political and military officials have expressed frustration over Israeli actions since the agreement entered its initial implementation phase in the southern town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiyah, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the deal.

President Aoun told UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday that Israel’s continued demolition of homes and bulldozing of villages in southern Lebanon represented “a direct violation of human rights and a clear breach of international laws and norms.”

He called for international intervention to address the situation.

The Lebanese presidency said Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing the framework agreement but warned that Israeli actions could undermine its effectiveness.

“Lebanon will not accept the continued violation of the agreement’s provisions,” Aoun said.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also voiced support for continued work by the UN human rights office to document incidents that could amount to war crimes.

He said evidence collected by a neutral international body would strengthen accountability efforts over alleged violations.

Rome Talks to Test Israel’s Commitment

Attention is now focused on the seventh round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations, scheduled to take place in Rome on August 4 under US sponsorship.

The talks are expected to provide an indication of Israel’s willingness to fully implement the framework agreement, including its security arrangements, and complete its withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Discussions are also expected to address the functioning of the tripartite monitoring committee led by US General Joseph Clearfield.

The upcoming visit of US Central Command chief General Brad Cooper to Lebanon has gained importance following the start of the agreement’s implementation.

Cooper is expected to assess the Lebanese Army’s needs as it expands its deployment in southern Lebanon, as part of continued American support for the military.

Lebanese Army Reports Continued Israeli Attacks

The Lebanese Army accused Israel of continuing violations of existing understandings and international law, citing the destruction of homes, land bulldozing, shelling and gunfire in several areas of the south.

The army said Israeli forces fired near Lebanese military positions in Kfar Tebnit, Nabatieh Al-Fawqa and Zawtar Al-Gharbiyah, disrupting military operations.

It said it was continuing efforts to oversee the return of residents to Zawtar Al-Gharbiyah and protect civilians in the towns of Froun and Srifa.

The military warned that ongoing Israeli attacks were delaying its deployment, preventing displaced residents from returning home and undermining efforts to restore stability.

Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours reportedly targeted areas including Kfar Tebnit in Nabatieh governorate, Hadatha and Kounine in Bint Jbeil district, Naba Ebel Al-Saqi, and several locations in Tyre district, including Al-Mansouri, Buyout Al-Sayyad and Majdal Zoun.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out a demolition operation against a water facility belonging to the Litani River Authority in Markaba, in the Marjayoun district.

Netanyahu Signals Resistance to Withdrawal Pressure

Before travelling to Washington, Netanyahu reportedly told Israeli Cabinet ministers that he would reject US demands for withdrawals from Gaza, Syria and Lebanon.

Israeli media quoted him as saying he intended to “stand firm” against such requests.

The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Netanyahu was seeking clarification over understandings reached during the Aoun-Trump meeting.

The report said Israeli forces currently control a strip extending around 10 kilometres from the Blue Line to strategic hills, including Ali Al-Taher, as well as areas around Ras Al-Bayada and Majdal Zoun in western Lebanon.

It added that Israel had established a multilayered defence system using mobile forces and surveillance technology, aiming to create a demilitarised zone and prevent rocket and drone attacks.

Hezbollah Rejects Calls for Disarmament

Meanwhile, Hezbollah continued to criticise the Lebanese government, citing Israeli statements regarding the withdrawal process.

Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan said the group would not surrender its weapons, stating that “the enemies of the resistance will not be able to disarm it.”

He called on Lebanese authorities to ensure Israel’s complete and unconditional withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Hajj Hassan also criticised the Lebanese Army’s deployment in Zawtar Al-Gharbiyah, saying it did not represent a significant achievement because the town had not previously been occupied by Israeli forces.

The developments come as Lebanon faces a delicate balancing act between implementing the US-backed agreement, strengthening state authority in the south and managing tensions with Israel and Hezbollah.