Israel Rejects Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon Amidst Tampa Talks
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
A trilateral military meeting in Tampa, Florida, involving Lebanon, Israel, and the U.S. concluded its first day with significant disagreements over security in southern Lebanon. Israel rejected withdrawal demands, insisting on disarmament of Hezbollah, while Lebanon refused a joint committee proposal. U.S. officials expressed frustration over the lack of compromise, warning of waning patience. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes and shelling occurred in southern Lebanon during the talks.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel rejected Lebanese demands for withdrawal from southern Lebanon during trilateral talks in Tampa.
- Disagreements persist over security arrangements, with Israel conditioning withdrawal on Hezbollah's disarmament.
- Lebanon rejected a U.S.-Israeli proposal for a joint military committee.
- U.S. officials expressed frustration over stalled negotiations and warned of waning patience.
- Israeli airstrikes and shelling in southern Lebanon occurred concurrently with the military meeting.
The first day of a trilateral military meeting concluded in Tampa, Florida, hosted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), with delegations from Lebanon, the United States, and Israel participating. Discussions are set to resume on Wednesday, marked by significant disagreements over security arrangements in southern Lebanon and Lebanese demands for an end to escalation and an Israeli withdrawal.
Sources indicated that the initial technical military negotiations focused on the security aspects of a framework agreement and technical measures, addressing mutual complaints between the Lebanese and Israeli sides. A considerable gap persists between the two delegations, while Washington aims to keep the negotiation track open after a two-and-a-half-month hiatus.
During the meeting, the Israeli delegation presented a video alleging coordination between Hezbollah and the Lebanese army. The Lebanese army responded with a detailed statement refuting these claims, which it stated cast doubt on its mission and role.
The Lebanese delegation rejected a proposed U.S.-Israeli formula for establishing a joint bilateral committee between the Lebanese and Israeli armies. Israel, meanwhile, insisted on maintaining its presence in the occupied security zone in southern Lebanon, refusing to withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed.
U.S. officials urged Israel to identify new pilot zones for implementing field security arrangements, expressing frustration over the stalled talks and the parties' unwillingness to compromise. A U.S. State Department official warned of waning U.S. patience, clarifying that the current round's objective is solely to revive negotiations.
Wednesday's sessions are expected to address monitoring and verification mechanisms, including the identification of supervising and participating countries. Concurrently, Israeli violations continued on the ground, with Israeli warplanes conducting raids on Kafr Tibnit and the Hamra area, and artillery shelling targeting the town of Barchait in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Israel has not adhered to the framework agreement's formula, while Lebanon hopes the talks will lead to arrangements ensuring an end to escalation and an Israeli withdrawal. Separately, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy called for practical steps to support Lebanon and its army and facilitate the return of residents to their villages during a tour of southern Lebanon.
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