Israel and Lebanon Hold US-Mediated Talks on Hezbollah Disarmament

Representatives from the Israeli and Lebanese militaries convened on October 20 in Tampa, Florida, for U.S.-mediated negotiations at the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters. The meetings, scheduled for October 20 and 21, focus on implementing agreements between the two nations, according to Lebanese television channel LBCI. Lebanese media reports indicate the talks are at a working level and center on an accord for the disarmament of Hezbollah and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese delegation plans to demand a cessation of Israeli strikes and raise concerns about alleged Israeli violations of the agreement. Specifically, the Lebanese military claims the IDF has continued strikes and re-entered areas designated for initial agreement implementation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated Israel would demand the Lebanese army dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure in two agreed-upon zones. He added that if the Lebanese military fails, Israel would act independently.

Amid these discussions, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement on social media platform X in Arabic regarding the Israeli military's presence in Lebanon. Katz asserted that Israel established a 700-square-kilometer security zone in Lebanon, stretching from the Mediterranean coast to Beaufort Castle, Ali Taher heights, and the foothills of Mount Hermon. He claimed all 200,000 Shiite residents were evacuated from this zone, and the IDF destroyed over 60 Lebanese villages and 23,000 homes used by Hezbollah as military positions.

"The IDF will not withdraw from the security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to the residents of the north is eliminated," Katz wrote. He also warned that any shelling of Israeli communities or drone launches would result in massive retaliation against the southern suburbs of Beirut. Katz stated that if Hezbollah joins an Iranian attack on Israel, the IDF is prepared for a new ground operation advancing towards Nabatieh and the Litani River. In such a scenario, he added, the population of occupied territories would be evacuated, and these areas could be permanently incorporated into Israel's established security zone in southern Lebanon.