Beirut Cautiously Awaits Israeli South Withdrawal

The final round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations in Washington, sponsored by the United States, began amid an atmosphere that oscillates between optimism and caution. Points of disagreement between the two sides continue to revolve around Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. Washington announced that Israel had withdrawn from part of the buffer zone as a gesture of goodwill, but Israeli and Lebanese officials denied this, emphasizing that Israeli forces are still consolidating their control and preventing the Lebanese army from entering. The negotiations are focused on details of the “declaration of intent” and agreements on field arrangements, with Lebanon maintaining its core demands, while Hezbollah refuses direct negotiations and demands a full and swift Israeli withdrawal.