Italy Proposed to Deploy Troops in South Lebanon Amid Israeli Withdrawal Talks

As negotiations continue between Israel and Lebanon over Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, a new proposal suggests deploying an Italian force to oversee the disarmament and demilitarization of Hezbollah militants in areas vacated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This idea emerged during talks held in Rome, mediated by the United States, after Israel and the US firmly rejected the alternative of deploying UNIFIL forces in the vacated zones. Security officials report that the proposal is currently under consideration by all parties.

Israel has emphasized the need to first evaluate a pilot phase in which the Lebanese army gradually assumes control of the areas the IDF withdraws from. Lebanon, however, requested that its army be responsible not only for territorial control but also for monitoring mechanisms, a demand Israel has not accepted. The recent two-day discussions in Rome involving representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and the US concluded with a joint statement describing the talks as "productive and positive," agreeing on the structure and principles of "pilot zones," with details and implementation expected soon.

According to the framework agreement, the Lebanese army will progressively take full security responsibility in the pilot zones, which will serve as a basis for the phased redeployment of the IDF and verified Lebanese army entry. The first two zones have been agreed upon, with more to be determined by mutual consent. Despite progress, the IDF still controls extensive areas in southern Lebanon, including the Beaufort ridge, where it targets underground terror infrastructure through Division 36, and operates in the Bint Jbeil area and western sector via Division 91. The IDF also maintains strategic control points over the Nabatieh region.

Israeli defense sources note that small Hezbollah cells remain in IDF-controlled areas, including militants in the northern Beaufort ridge near Ali Taher ridge. The IDF has stated that all remaining militants in these zones will either surrender or be eliminated.