New talks between Israel and Lebanon began today at the US Embassy to Rome, and while the last five rounds of talks have all ended in deals not particularly consequential, indications are that Israel is looking to scale back their already limited obligations under the terms of such deals.
The talks seem to be centered heavily on the “pilot zones,” which were small segments of southern Lebanon that Israel had agreed to hand over to the Lebanese military, but which Israel never actually withdrew from, citing concerns about the Shi’ites in the Lebanese military.
Now, Israeli officials reportedly are seeking to pare the two pilot zones down to just one, and they are running into an obstacle because that lone pilot zone is basically an area that no Israeli troops actually are in the first place. Lebanon has argued that the pilot zone should involve actually Israeli troops pulling back so it delivers something tangible. Even that one, smaller zone right now doesn’t come with an actual timetable.
Rescuers inspect a car hit in an Israeli strike in Jiyeh area south of Beirut, Lebanon May 13, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Ali Hankir
These reports about how Israel is steering the present talks stand in sharp contrast to Israeli FM Gideon Saar’s comments, as he insists Israel stands ready to implement the pilot zones at any time. That contradicts other officials’ positions.
The deal, as it was reached in the last round of talks, was panned by many Lebanese for not including any requirement for Israel to ever withdraw from southern Lebanon. The early indications are that this agreement won’t do anything to ameliorate those concerns.
Saar has long insisted Israel has no territorial designs on Lebanon, despite other members of his government actively advocating for the annexation of the occupied south. Adding fuel to the fire, Israel reported a group of religious Zionist settlers were “escorted” back into Israel after having crossed the border. They were members of a group that advocates settlements inside southern Lebanon.
