Day two in Washington: Israel's withdrawal plan from Lebanon under discussion

On the second day of Lebanon-Israel talks continuing in Washington with U.S. mediation, a plan for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from occupied territories was discussed. The sticking point in the talks is said to be the scope and starting areas of Israel's withdrawal.

The second day of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in the U.S. capital Washington has concluded. According to Israeli media, during the session in which American officials decided to restart talks after the tension on the first day, the parties examined a U.S.-backed withdrawal plan.

The plan envisions Israel withdrawing from territories it occupied during its war on Lebanon and handing these areas over to the Lebanese army.

Sticking point: the scope of the withdrawal

The American Axios website and Israeli media reported that the main disagreement in the talks is the scope of Israel's withdrawal and the areas where the withdrawal will begin. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth wrote that the commander of U.S. Central Command will arrive in Israel today to discuss the Iran and Lebanon files.

The Israel Broadcasting Authority, citing sources, reported that the parties exchanged maps on Wednesday and that a partial Israeli withdrawal from some areas is expected. It was stated that American mediators hope both sides will show more flexibility in their positions.

Unresolved issues

A source participating in the negotiations told the Israel Broadcasting Authority that the parties do not agree on everything but discussions continue on pilot zones and field teams in southern Lebanon. The source stated that the timing of the pilot phase or the areas from which the Israeli army is expected to withdraw have not yet been clarified.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said in a statement to journalists in New York that Israel aims to hand over some of the occupied territories to the Lebanese army but will maintain its military presence in the buffer zone along the border.

American support and oversight for the Lebanese army

Israeli officials claimed that under the Washington-backed proposal, the Lebanese forces will undergo training and oversight by the United States to ensure they have no connection to Hezbollah. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Kuwait, said Washington is ready to help the Lebanese army build the necessary capacity to control the territories in southern Lebanon but did not address the issue of vetting Lebanese elements.

A senior Lebanese security official confirmed that the talks in Washington are ongoing and that the Wednesday session discussed pilot zones between the armies. The official noted that the meetings are focused on a timeline for Israel's withdrawal and that no plan will emerge until the final session on Thursday.

Emphasis on full withdrawal from Lebanon

The Lebanese presidency announced that President Joseph Aoun conveyed to a delegation from Britain and Germany that negotiations on the proposed pilot zones are continuing and that Israel's approval is awaited.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the negotiations are the "least costly path" for the country, emphasizing that Lebanon demands a full Israeli withdrawal from its territories and the release of Lebanese prisoners in Israel.

The U.S.-proposed plan, which envisions the Lebanese army controlling "pilot zones," was part of a ceasefire plan accepted by Lebanese and Israeli officials on June 3. However, Hezbollah rejected the plan, which was conditioned on a ceasefire on its side and the withdrawal of its fighters from a wide area in the south. Iran, within the framework of its memorandum of understanding with the United States, had demanded a ceasefire with guarantees for Lebanon's "territorial integrity and sovereignty."