Israel said Tuesday it is prepared to begin implementing the first phase of a U.S.-brokered framework agreement with Lebanon by withdrawing its troops from two designated "pilot zones," as negotiators from the two countries resumed talks in Rome aimed at advancing the deal despite persistent disagreements and continued violence along the border.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the discussions in the Italian capital could pave the way for implementing the pilot zones, which would see Israeli forces withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army deploy there, and Hezbollah's military presence removed.

"We are ready to move forward implementing these two pilot zones," Sa'ar told reporters. "I hope and tend to believe that this round of discussions in Rome will promote it."

The two-day negotiations, hosted at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, mark the latest stage in U.S.-led diplomacy that has continued despite renewed regional tensions and Hezbollah's firm opposition to the framework agreement.

The talks follow five rounds of negotiations in Washington that culminated in a framework agreement on June 26 calling for an end to the conflict in Lebanon, the disarmament of armed groups, the deployment of the Lebanese army throughout the south, and the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Lebanese officials told Reuters the Rome meetings are intended to establish the practical mechanisms and timeline for implementing the agreement. One official said holding the talks in Italy would allow both delegations to remain in close contact with their respective governments as negotiations progress.

Ahead of the negotiations, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instructed his delegation to insist on the "immediate start" of Israel's withdrawal from the two pilot zones before discussing any other aspect of the agreement, according to comments released by the presidency Monday.

A Lebanese diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations told AFP that the Lebanese army is prepared to gradually assume control of the areas once Israeli troops withdraw.

The pilot zones are viewed as a test of the broader agreement, which Washington hopes will eventually lead to a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the restoration of full Lebanese state authority in the area.

A U.S. official said last week that the first pilot zone could be launched within days, adding that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has been coordinating with both Israel and Lebanon on implementation. A U.S. military delegation visited Beirut over the weekend for detailed discussions with the Lebanese army, Reuters reported.

Israel currently maintains military control over what it describes as a security buffer zone extending roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) inside southern Lebanon along the length of the border. Israeli officials say the zone is necessary to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah attacks. The occupied area remains off limits to all Lebanese civilians and even Lebanese army personnel.

Sa'ar described implementation of the framework agreement as "the only way forward" and said Israel intended to demonstrate goodwill during the Rome negotiations.

Israeli officials have maintained that any further troop withdrawals will depend on Hezbollah being removed from the areas in question.

Israel also wants assurances that the Lebanese army will be capable of maintaining the areas as neutral zones and preventing Hezbollah from returning, she said.

Hezbollah has rejected both the framework agreement and calls for its disarmament, arguing that only pressure from Iran on Washington can bring about an end to the conflict and secure a full Israeli withdrawal.