Israel claims readiness to move on pilot zones in Lebanon talks

Israel has expressed readiness to proceed with troop withdrawals from two designated "pilot zones" in south Lebanon, as US-brokered negotiations with Lebanon continued in Rome. These talks aim to implement a framework agreement established last month following five rounds of discussions in Washington, which calls for an end to the war, Hezbollah's disarmament, Lebanese troop deployment in the south, and Israeli withdrawal. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated, "We are ready to move forward implementing these two pilot zones." Lebanon's delegation was instructed to demand an immediate start to the withdrawal. However, Hezbollah rejects the agreement, despite Lebanese government pressure. The framework agreement was reached after a ceasefire in Israel's war on Lebanon, which has killed over 4,300 people since March.