Lebanon and Israel made further progress on Wednesday during the second day of their sixth round of negotiations in Rome, with discussions focusing on the practical steps needed to implement a U.S.-backed framework agreement, including the launch of pilot zones in southern Lebanon and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Lebanese officials said the talks centered on establishing a timeline for implementation, with efforts underway to begin the process within days or even hours, and no later than the end of the week.

Sources at Lebanon’s Baabda Palace said negotiations had moved beyond general principles and were now focused on detailed mechanisms for putting the framework agreement into practice.

The pilot zones agreed upon in principle include the villages of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, al-Ghandouriya, Burj Qalawiya, Sreifa and Frun, according to Al Jadeed’s correspondent in Rome. The areas are a mix of locations currently under Israeli occupation and others that remain exposed to Israeli fire.

The discussions also addressed a timetable for the sequence of Israel’s withdrawal from other areas in southern Lebanon.

"House searches were not discussed," Baabda sources told Al Jadeed, adding that the focus was instead on mechanisms to verify that the areas are free of weapons and armed personnel "in accordance with Lebanese laws."

The sources stressed that the verification mechanism for the deployment of the Lebanese army would involve a third party, as stipulated in the framework agreement, and would not include Israel. They said the United Nations remains the most practical option under consideration, although no final decision has been made.

The return of civilians to their villages is considered a basic obligation for Israel, the sources added, while any further security measures would fall under the responsibility of the Lebanese army.

Disputes Over Verification Mechanism

According to information reported by Al Jadeed, the Lebanese delegation is pushing for a clear and specific timetable to begin implementing the pilot zones, arguing that approving the concept alone without defining deadlines and procedures would not represent meaningful progress.

The Israeli side, meanwhile, continues to emphasize the need for a verification mechanism to ensure implementation of the pilot zones arrangement, particularly regarding the party responsible for overseeing Hezbollah’s disarmament and monitoring the Lebanese army’s deployment in the south.

The United States has expressed support for the Lebanese proposal on pilot zones, but Washington’s main focus remains on how the plan will be implemented on the ground and how progress can be independently verified, according to the report.

Israel has proposed that oversight following the Lebanese army’s removal of weapons should be handled by a committee comprising Israel, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and a third party acceptable to Israel, excluding the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The Lebanese side is also examining a legal challenge linked to the verification process: whether such mechanisms would require access to private properties. Officials said any entry into private premises would require a Lebanese legal framework or judicial authorization to ensure compliance with national law.

Technical Committees Under U.S. Supervision

Al Jadeed’s correspondent in Rome reported that the negotiations were approaching their conclusion on Wednesday, with expectations that Lebanon and Israel could agree on forming technical committees to oversee implementation of the framework agreement under U.S. supervision.

The Lebanese and Israeli delegations were also moving toward resolving outstanding differences related to the pilot zones, the mechanism for Israel’s withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese army, with continued coordination through CENTCOM.

Al Nahar reported that the first day of talks on Tuesday was held in a positive atmosphere, with indications of progress, although several issues still require further discussion.

The Israeli delegation reportedly requested additional clarifications from Lebanon on how the Lebanese army would verify that it had established full control over areas from which Israeli forces withdraw, and how it would deal with Hezbollah’s presence in those areas.

The Lebanese side was expected to respond to those questions during Wednesday’s session, following consultations by President Joseph Aoun’s advisory team from Baabda Palace, with Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haikal participating in part of the discussions.

The Lebanese delegation’s responses are expected to focus on arrangements for deploying the army in areas to be evacuated by Israeli forces and ensuring that the understandings reached in Rome can be implemented on the ground.