Lebanon-Israel Negotiations to Resume in Florida Amid Southern Escalation

Lebanon has been informed that U.S.-brokered negotiations with Israel will resume in Tampa, Florida, ahead of Israeli elections. The upcoming round is expected to be military in nature rather than political, with a likely date of October 20. Ambassador Simon Karam will lead the Lebanese delegation, accompanied by Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Mouawad.

This development occurs as Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon continues. On Thursday, Israeli warplanes conducted two raids on the towns of Bani Hayyan and the outskirts of Mefdon. Israeli forces also carried out explosions in Al-Khyam and Mansouri, and an airstrike targeted the Jarmaq area. Intensive artillery shelling hit the outskirts of Zawtar Al-Sharqiyya, Al-Majidiya farm, and Wadi Khansa, while Israeli military vehicles moved in the Ain Arab area. Explosions were also reported in Mansouri.

Earlier, a soldier and three civilians were injured in the Nabatieh al-Fawqa region by the explosion of a suspicious object while the Lebanese army was accompanying residents inspecting their property. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam returned to Beirut on Thursday from New York and held calls with President Joseph Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to discuss his U.S. visit.

During his time in Washington, Salam emphasized Lebanon's decision to consolidate power and weaponry under state authority, stating that diplomacy is the path to reclaiming land, protecting the people, and achieving lasting security and peace. He urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to activate a trilateral framework and translate principles of reciprocity and phased action into practical steps. Salam stressed the need for a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the restriction of weapons to the state, and a clear timeline and verification mechanism for commitments.