🔸 LEBANON TALKS STALLED AS VERIFICATION PLAN AND SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS REMAIN UNRESOLVED: Political sources say Israeli delays and a broader diplomatic deadlock are expected to prevent a breakthrough for several weeks.
According to Al-Jadeed, a specific proposal concerning “Ali al-Taher” remains under discussion between the United States, Israel, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the Lebanese government. Hezbollah has not endorsed the plan since it was introduced about a month ago.
Ministerial sources said no dates have been set for additional negotiations in Rome. Italy is currently the only country agreed upon for a proposed verification mechanism, while the roles, responsibilities and UN mandates of other potential participants remain unresolved.
Separately, a Jordanian-French initiative is preparing a high-level meeting for September to determine representation levels and issue invitations.
The Lebanese Army Commander is expected to attend the Rome summit and call for an end to Israeli operations that Lebanon says obstruct military duties. He is also expected to insist that any verification committee operate with “full and mutual coordination” with the Lebanese military.
Financial requirements for expanded Lebanese Army deployment are estimated in the billions of dollars, based on battlefield needs and proposals discussed in Egypt. Funding remains dependent on international-Arab backing and resolution of the disarmament file from southern Lebanon to the Litani River and the Beqaa.
Sources said the failure to finalize a verification committee, with Italy currently the leading option, has created a “stalemate” preventing the establishment of additional pilot security zones.
🔸 SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS MOSSAD CHIEF IN JORDAN: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met Mossad Chief Roman Gofman today in Jordan in an effort to ease tensions following Israel's recent strike on Syria's Abu al-Duhur Air Base, according to Axios.
🗳️ KAN POLL: EISENKOT LEADS; WINTER RUN WEAKENS NETANYAHU BLOC: A new Kan News poll conducted by Kantar under Dudi Hasid gives Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar! 24 seats, ahead of Likud with 22. Together receives 14, the Democrats 10, Otzma Yehudit and Yisrael Beiteinu 9 each, United Torah Judaism 8, Shas 7, the unified Hadash-Ta'al-Balad list 7, Religious Zionism 5 and Ra'am 5.
The bloc breakdown gives Netanyahu's bloc 51 seats, the non-Arab opposition 57 and Arab parties 12. Neither principal bloc reaches the 61 seats required for a majority.
Compared with Kan's previous poll, Netanyahu's bloc falls from 52 to 51 while the non-Arab opposition remains at 57. Yashar remains at 24 seats, while Likud falls from 23 to 22.
A separate scenario examining an Ofer Winter party gives Winter 5 seats but reduces Netanyahu's bloc further to 50. Winter draws heavily from the existing right-wing electorate. Religious Zionism falls into electoral-threshold danger, Otzma Yehudit weakens and Yisrael Beiteinu gains a seat. The non-Arab opposition consequently rises to 58 seats, while the Arab parties remain at 12.
The scenario highlights a central risk facing Netanyahu's bloc ahead of the October 27 election: additional right-wing parties do not necessarily increase the bloc's total strength if they divide the same voter pool and push another allied party below the 3.25% electoral threshold.
The broader polling picture remains divided by pollster. Across recent surveys, Netanyahu's bloc continues to range widely, with most non-Channel 14 polls leaving it below a governing majority.
Source: Kan News / Kantar, Dudi Hasid
🔁 Know someone who should see this? Forward it.
🌐 Full updates & discussion: https://www.israelrealtime.com