🔸 U.S. SEES OPENING IN ISRAEL-LEBANON TALKS: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described yesterday's negotiations as "very good," saying, "I think we are very close in our hopes of getting a commitment of interest, of intent between the two countries... It'll be a process. It'll take some time." Rubio said that "for the first time in 30 years, the sovereign government of Lebanon is speaking to the government of Israel directly," adding, "That's who we're going to be negotiating with. Not Hezbollah. Hezbollah is not the government." He added, "Hopefully today will be a day that can build on some of the things we were able to make progress on yesterday."
⚠️ REPORTS DIFFER ON THE STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS: According to Axios, the first day of talks ended without progress, with major disagreements remaining over the scope and timing of a potential Israeli withdrawal. The discussions reportedly became increasingly tense, and U.S. mediators are now effectively restarting the talks to soften positions and get negotiations back on track. Al-Hadath reported separately that Israeli and Lebanese negotiators reached a principal agreement on military "pilot areas" in southern Lebanon, with technical details expected to be finalized during today's concluding round in Washington. The report said delegations also drafted an advanced version of a bilateral understanding document, projected for public release today.
🔸 U.S. BACKS LEBANESE STATE CONTROL: Rubio said, "We will help the Lebanese government extend its control over all its territories without any external interference." U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa arrived at the State Department and said, "Negotiations are ongoing and coordination is continuing, but the story is more complex than just a ceasefire."
📍 KATZ: ISRAEL WILL NOT WITHDRAW FROM SOUTHERN LEBANON: Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "We will not withdraw from southern Lebanon even if Washington demands it." Katz added that Israel has announced it will not withdraw, and that, "as of this moment, and this is a diplomatic achievement, there is no American demand for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon." Katz said Israel will not repeat past experience in security zones that included civilian populations and became targets for bombings and assaults on Israeli soldiers. He said the infrastructure has been devastated, the houses are compromised and unsafe, and Israel is not withdrawing.
📍 U.S.-BACKED PROPOSAL UNDER DISCUSSION: According to Reuters, Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal under which Israeli forces would hand over parts of southern Lebanese territory captured during the war to the Lebanese Army. Under the proposal, Lebanese troops would be trained and vetted by the U.S. to ensure they have no ties to Hezbollah, while Israel would retain forces in a border buffer zone.
⚠️ IRAN THREATENS ISRAEL OVER LEBANON: IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani warned, "If the Zionist entity does not withdraw from Lebanon of its own accord, it will be forced to flee in defeat." Qaani said, "You must leave all of Lebanon; because this land is a field of steadfastness and resistance, not a playground for occupiers. If you do not retreat voluntarily today, tomorrow you will inevitably be forced to flee in humiliation and defeat." He also invoked Israel's 2000 withdrawal and former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, saying the same scene would be repeated.
💥 IDF STRIKE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON: Lebanese reports said the IDF targeted a motorcycle traveling between Zotar and Mayfadoun, north of the Litani River and near the designated security zone containing active Israeli military forces. Local reports said an Israeli drone strike killed two people in southern Lebanon.
🎯 KATZ ON THE HOUTHIS: Katz said, "We eliminated the entire Houthi leadership, except for Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who is hiding in the tunnels. If he is in the crosshairs, he will die."
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