While the US administration is working to provide the necessary support for the implementation of the Framework Agreement signed by the Lebanese and Israeli sides in Washington, the first signs of which are reflected in the visit of a US military delegation to Lebanon to discuss practical details for launching its implementation, the agreement's opponents also appear to be mobilizing their forces to intensify efforts to undermine it.

This is taking place through tense and escalatory domestic meetings and statements led by the Shiite Duo, which have gone as far as accusing supporters of the agreement of treason and warning of the outbreak of a civil war. It is also insisting on linking the Lebanese situation to Tehran and its stalled agreement with Washington, following the recent dramatic developments, US President Donald Trump's announcement that the temporary agreement with Iran to end the war has come to an end, and the Iranian Foreign Ministry's announcement that the talks between Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz ended without any tangible progress. Qatar had acted as a mediator between Iran and the United States in those talks.

A senior Lebanese source told Annahar that there are concerns Israel may exploit the new regional situation to evade the swift implementation of the agreement and delay the anticipated steps, which would in turn lead to a hardening of the positions of the other side. The source added: "It is not certain that we will see any tangible movement on the ground before the Rome meetings."

The US Delegation and the Framework Agreement

Meanwhile, Lebanon is preparing for the next round of negotiations, which will be hosted in the Italian capital, Rome, on July 14 and 15. Annahar has learned that the preparations made in Beirut for the launch of this phase will be pursued with strong momentum, with the aim of creating an integrated framework that combines the field implementation of the Framework Agreement on the one hand and the launch of the technical and political committees established under the agreement during the Rome round on the other.

According to Annahar's information, contrary to the skeptical atmosphere surrounding the existing developments on the eve of these pivotal days, positive trends have emerged in recent hours regarding military field coordination led by the US side, reinforcing hopes that the Rome round will also be successful.

Away from the media spotlight, the US military delegation continues to hold meetings in Yarzeh following shuttle meetings with Israeli military officials. The discussions focused on the implementation steps for the Framework Agreement, the launch of pilot areas in southern Lebanon, and the consolidation of the ceasefire.

Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Rodolphe Haykal briefed President Joseph Aoun on the details of the talks, amid concerns the president expressed to visitors that renewed US-Iran tensions could once again spill over into Lebanon, particularly since "Hezbollah's decision (in this regard) is an Iranian one." Aoun is striving to prevent the situation from flaring up again, hoping to give fresh momentum to the Framework Agreement following his meeting with the US president on July 21.

While the Lebanese state is seeking to improve the terms of the Framework Agreement, not only by securing a US commitment to compel Israel to implement it, information indicates that any Israeli withdrawal will not deter Hezbollah from operating in the areas it considers its sphere of influence. This could place the Lebanese Army in an awkward position regarding its commitment to maintain weapon free areas without entering into any confrontation with Hezbollah.

A US military official told Agence France Presse that work is underway to prepare maps for "additional pilot areas" in Lebanon, while preparations are also being made to launch the first pilot area between Lebanon and Israel in the coming days as part of the initial implementation of the Framework Agreement between the two sides.

Yesterday, Israel's ambassador to Washington said: "We are working with the US and Lebanese armies to create the conditions for and implement the Framework Agreement."

The United Nations Coordinator for Lebanon

In a related development, attention was drawn to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's announcement that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had received Jean Arnault, the acting United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, in Tehran.

Arnault had visited Israel on July 7, where he met with senior Israeli officials to discuss the importance of consolidating the cessation of hostilities and advancing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Before traveling to Israel, Arnault had separately met with Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Rodolphe Haykal.

The discussions with the Lebanese officials focused on recent developments, efforts to strengthen stability in Lebanon, and the readiness of the Lebanese Army and security forces to support the implementation of international resolutions and agreements.

These diplomatic efforts come as the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon is nearing its end and discussions are underway on possible alternatives.

In this context, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced that Berlin and Paris intend to launch a joint initiative aimed at achieving peace in Lebanon. In a press interview, Wadephul said: "Germany and France want to formulate a common policy toward Lebanon in order to increase the chances of achieving peace in the Middle East." He did not provide any further details. The initiative is expected to be announced at the German French Ministerial Council meeting, scheduled for July 17.

Israeli Documents Published on the July War

Marking the 20th anniversary of the outbreak of the July 2006 War, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth published a report revealing military documents released for the first time from the Israeli Army Operations Directorate's archives. The documents include operational orders and official communications dating back to the first hours of the war, shedding light on how the Israeli military establishment managed the conflict from its outset.