US and Lebanon Meet in Beirut to Implement Israeli Withdrawal Agreement

Military delegations from the United States and Lebanon convened on July 11, 2026, in Beirut to establish a framework for the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This meeting aims to implement the first phase of a US-brokered agreement regarding two designated "pilot zones" in the region.

Details of the US-Brokered Agreement

According to Lebanese sources, the discussions centered around creating a mechanism for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Under the framework agreement reached on June 26, Israel is set to gradually withdraw its troops from areas where they have been engaged in conflict with Hezbollah. The Lebanese military, which has historically been disempowered, will gain control over the two small areas designated as "pilot zones."

Despite the agreement, there is no specified timetable for the withdrawal, and Israeli officials have indicated that their forces will maintain a "security zone" extending 10 km (approximately 6 miles) into Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains armed. US ambassador Michel Issa communicated to President Joseph Aoun the arrival of the US delegation to finalize the implementation details.

Hezbollah's Stance and Ongoing Conflict

Hezbollah has openly rejected this agreement, preferring to uphold a ceasefire arrangement between the US and Iran, which also includes a ceasefire in Lebanon. Al Jazeera’s Heidi Pett reported that despite a breakdown in the ceasefire this week, Hezbollah has refrained from escalating conflict in Lebanon.

Since the onset of the war in early March, following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, over 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced, as reported by the UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA. As of this week, approximately 732,000 individuals have returned home, which marks an increase from 640,000 the previous week. However, around 430,000 remain displaced.

Recent Israeli Attacks and Future Talks

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued their operations. The Lebanese state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported several raids in southern Lebanon, including attacks in the town of al-Mansouri, which resulted in seven injuries.

Israeli forces also advanced into the eastern edge of the town of Beit Yahoun using tanks and bulldozers. In the region of Houla, fires were ignited by Israeli forces, damaging homes and olive trees. Furthermore, NNA reported that homes were blown up in the Nabatieh district.

Looking ahead, the next round of talks between Lebanon and Israel is scheduled to take place in Rome next Wednesday and Thursday. Lebanon has conditioned its participation on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the two pilot zones.