Despite the scarcity of leaked information regarding the Lebanese-Israeli-American negotiations held as part of the fifth round of talks, which began on Tuesday at the U.S. State Department in Washington and conclude today, it became clear that the discussions were extremely tense. This was due not only to the fundamental complexities surrounding the negotiations but also to an additional factor that further intensified them: the indirect impact of linking Iran to the Lebanese file through the “Swiss negotiators” involved in the U.S.-Iranian track.

According to sources familiar with the talks, this development contributed to a tougher Israeli stance regarding the conditions for a gradual withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the issue of “pilot” or “model” areas. Meanwhile, the Lebanese delegation maintained the principles agreed upon in Beirut. Observers were surprised when the Lebanese military delegation withdrew from the meeting on Tuesday to avoid appearing in official photographs alongside the Israeli delegation, leaving the diplomatic delegation to represent Lebanon alone, a move that raised questions and speculation.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa acknowledged before yesterday’s second session that “there was a disagreement between the Lebanese and Israeli delegations on Tuesday, but we hope it will be resolved today.”

The second session focused, at the military level, on mechanisms for deploying the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River, taking control of areas vacated by Israeli forces, and establishing verification measures to ensure the exclusivity of weapons in the area.

Sources in Baabda stated that Ambassador Simon Karam led the negotiations alongside the military delegation. They noted progress regarding the discussion of model areas, citing Israeli acceptance in principle of Lebanese Army deployment in territories currently occupied by Israeli forces as a precursor to withdrawal. Lebanon is reportedly seeking to designate the first such area, within a sequential framework, though not necessarily according to a fixed timetable.

Preparations are underway to issue a “Declaration of Intent” this evening following a third session at the diplomatic level. Lebanon received a draft of the declaration, which was reviewed at Baabda Palace and amended in several areas to strengthen the Lebanese position. The current round is expected to conclude with approval of the declaration, which the United States hopes will broaden the negotiation process between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

Reuters quoted Israeli officials as saying that Israel and Lebanon are negotiating a U.S.-backed pilot project under which Israel would transfer control of certain areas in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Army. The officials indicated that the Lebanese Army would undergo American training and security vetting.

At the same time, reports indicated that the European Union is considering launching a three-year military and civilian advisory mission in Lebanon focused on training and supporting the Lebanese Army. The proposed mission would aim to strengthen land border forces, improve intelligence-gathering and surveillance capabilities, and enhance maritime security.

There were also reports that some American circles were dissatisfied with the Lebanese military delegation’s refusal to appear in a joint photograph with the Israeli delegation. According to these reports, Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington, Nada Moawad, moved to contain the situation and prevent any negative impact on U.S. support for the Lebanese Army.

In this context, President Joseph Aoun told a visiting British parliamentary delegation that efforts are underway to secure a ceasefire in southern Lebanon, followed by an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas, deployment of the Lebanese Army, the return of displaced residents, the release of prisoners, and the beginning of reconstruction efforts.

Aoun noted that discussions over the designation of model areas remain ongoing and are awaiting Israeli approval. He reiterated that the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington are continuing and cover a range of issues, including the security measures needed to restore stability in the south and extend state authority to Lebanon’s internationally recognized southern borders. He also emphasized that the Washington negotiations are separate from the outcomes of the Swiss meetings.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam clarified that Lebanon had been informed about the group established in Switzerland and is participating in it with the objective of achieving a ceasefire. However, he stressed that the Washington track is distinct. He explained that Lebanon chose to participate in the Washington negotiations because it represents the least costly option for the country.

Salam stated: “Will we reach an agreement? No one knows the outcome of negotiations in advance. But we know exactly what we want: a complete Israeli withdrawal.” He added that he only asks Hezbollah to fulfill its commitments. He further stressed that the issue of weapons is not being addressed to appease Israel, but because it is an internal Lebanese matter agreed upon since the Taif Agreement, whose implementation has already been delayed for too long.

On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopted a firm tone, declaring that “our mission in Lebanon is not yet complete, and there is still more to do. We will remain in the border strip as long as I am prime minister.” He added that Israel is establishing a security buffer zone in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks.

From the sit-in of the families of the four young men who disappeared while visiting the border area in the south. (Houssam Shbaro)

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz similarly reiterated that Israel would not withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. He stated: “Even if there is an American request, we will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon and will not allow the 200,000 residents of northern settlements to return to a previous threat situation.” He later added that the United States had not requested an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the security situation in the south remained tense. Israeli forces opened fire on a vehicle in the Deir neighborhood of Nabatieh al-Fawqa and on another vehicle near the army barracks area, without causing injuries. Later, the Israeli military announced that it had targeted two Hezbollah members after they approached Israeli positions in the Ali al-Taher heights of southern Lebanon. In the afternoon, an Israeli airstrike targeted a jeep in Doha Kfar Roummane, resulting in two casualties.

Separately, Lebanon handed over 128 convicted Syrian prisoners to Damascus yesterday in the second phase of a bilateral agreement signed in February to transfer convicted Syrians back to their home country, in an effort to resolve one of the longstanding issues between the two neighboring states.

Around 2,000 Syrians are currently imprisoned in Lebanon on various charges, including terrorism-related offenses, affiliation with extremist organizations and armed factions, and involvement in attacks against the Lebanese Army in border regions during the Syrian conflict and Hezbollah’s intervention in support of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

A Lebanese security source, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed that authorities transferred 128 convicted Syrians to Damascus yesterday.

The transfer comes more than three months after the first group of 132 convicted Syrians was handed over on March 17. The two transfers bring the total number of convicted Syrians returned to Damascus to 260 out of approximately 356 convicted Syrian inmates previously held in Roumieh Prison.

The issue of Syrian prisoners remains one of several unresolved files between Lebanon and Syria, alongside border demarcation, smuggling, missing persons, and cases involving forcibly disappeared individuals.