Israel Opposes French, British Role in Lebanon Force Amid Talks

Israel and Lebanon are set to hold another round of negotiations in Rome on Tuesday and Wednesday, focusing on establishing a force to verify the withdrawal of Hezbollah from designated "pilot areas." Israel has expressed opposition to the involvement of France and the United Kingdom in this verification force. Concurrently, the United States is advocating for an expansion of the withdrawal zones that would be transferred to the Lebanese army's control.

According to a report by Kan News, the upcoming talks in Rome, with American participation, will center on removing Hezbollah from these withdrawal zones. A recent internal poll in Lebanon indicates that over 80% of the Lebanese public supports the negotiations with Israel.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, David Hale, stated in an interview that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is determined to disarm Hezbollah and curb Iranian influence in his country. Hale described Aoun as a professional military man committed to ending the challenge posed by militias to state authority, seeing the current situation, partly due to Israeli military actions, as an opportunity to assert the army's and the state's control. Aoun believes that Lebanon's stability hinges on ridding the country of Iranian influence and dismantling Hezbollah as an independent militia.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly preparing to destroy underground infrastructure in the Ali Tahr Ridge area.