Israeli and Lebanese delegations began U.S.-mediated military and technical talks in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday, October 20, in another effort to implement the security framework agreed in June, Anadolu reported, citing diplomatic sources in Beirut. Two Israeli military sources separately confirmed the meeting to the Jerusalem Post.

Source: Anadolu via The American Quorum

The Lebanese presidency had announced on October 17 that a Lebanese military delegation would present Beirut's demands for an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon at the trilateral meeting in Tampa, Reuters reported. Under the deal reached through U.S.-brokered talks, Beirut vowed to disarm Hezbollah, which would in turn lead to Israeli troops gradually withdrawing from Lebanon, Reuters said.

Source: Reuters

A U.S. official told the Times of Israel that the October 20-21 discussions were at working level and would not include either country's ambassador to Washington, according to the Anadolu account. The talks are about implementation of the framework, not a completed withdrawal or a newly announced peace settlement.

Disarmament first, says Israel

Israeli reporting said Israel accused Lebanon's army of failing to prevent Hezbollah's rearmament in the south, and that the Israeli military insisted it will not withdraw from its security areas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported as saying that a dissolution of Hezbollah would immediately enable a peace agreement. Awaaz Punjab is attributing those positions to Ynet reporting carried by News In Israel.

Source: Ynet via News In Israel

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Tuesday that any rocket or drone fire targeting Israel would prompt strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, and he ruled out an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah was disarmed throughout the country, Anadolu reported. Hezbollah has rejected disarmament while Israeli forces remain in Lebanon.

Peacekeeping deadline approaches

The talks come as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, is scheduled to end its regular operations on December 31 before a phased withdrawal, raising the question of who holds security responsibility in the south as the transition proceeds. Lebanon and Israel have held a number of direct talks in recent months aimed at ending hostilities since a new war erupted on March 2 between Israel and Hezbollah, Reuters reported.