Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and transfer control of those areas to the Lebanese army, according to officials from both sides.
The discussions are taking place during talks in Washington and represent the latest effort to stabilise the border region following months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The proposal is being considered amid broader regional diplomacy involving Iran and the United States, which has increasingly drawn Lebanon into wider negotiations aimed at reducing tensions across the Middle East.
Israeli troops seized territory in southern Lebanon during the conflict that began after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in support of Iran, shortly after U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian sites.
Although a ceasefire has largely held since Sunday, Israeli forces remain stationed in parts of southern Lebanon. Israeli officials say the deployment is necessary to protect communities in northern Israel from potential attacks.
Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated on Wednesday that Israel would not leave southern Lebanon under external pressure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly stated that Israeli forces will remain in place for as long as security conditions require.
According to Israeli officials, the proposed arrangement would place selected areas of southern Lebanon under the control of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The officials said Lebanese troops participating in the initiative would undergo U.S. training and vetting procedures to ensure they have no links to Hezbollah. Israel would meanwhile maintain a military presence in a buffer zone along the border.
A senior Lebanese security official confirmed that discussions were continuing in Washington and said military representatives from both countries were expected to hold detailed talks on the proposal.
The official added that negotiations were focused on establishing a timetable for Israeli withdrawal, with any final arrangement expected to emerge after the conclusion of talks on Thursday.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said discussions regarding the proposed "pilot areas" were ongoing and awaiting Israeli approval, according to a statement from the presidency.
The Lebanese army has long received military assistance from the United States as part of efforts to strengthen state institutions and expand government authority across the country.
Recruiting personnel from Lebanon's diverse religious and political communities, the army is widely viewed as one of the country's principal national institutions.
Hezbollah has consistently opposed the U.S.-backed talks with Israel and has called on the Lebanese government to withdraw from the process.
The Iran-backed group, established in 1982, has criticised direct engagement with Israel and rejected previous proposals linked to ceasefire arrangements in southern Lebanon.
A ceasefire plan discussed in June included provisions for Lebanese army-controlled zones, conditional on Hezbollah ending attacks and removing its fighters from parts of the south. Hezbollah rejected the proposal.
Lebanon has also featured prominently in recent diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington.
Under an interim agreement reached between Iran and the United States, both sides and their regional allies committed to ending military operations across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.
Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said this week that Lebanon formed an integral part of the agreement and that it included the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Following talks in Switzerland on Monday, U.S. and Iranian officials announced plans to establish a "deconfliction cell" aimed at monitoring compliance with ceasefire arrangements in Lebanon.
Washington said on Tuesday that it remained committed to creating the mechanism, although operational details are still being finalised.
While discussions continue, significant differences remain over future security arrangements in southern Lebanon, the role of Hezbollah and the conditions for any Israeli withdrawal.
Officials from both sides say negotiations are ongoing, with the coming days expected to determine whether the proposed pilot zones can become the first step towards a more durable security framework along the Israel-Lebanon border.
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