Diplomatic sources deny reported progress in Rome talks

Diplomatic sources following the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations commented on the presidential talk of progress in the Rome round, saying the broad description of progress is not supported by the outcome of the issues on the table. They said the round dealt with the ceasefire, strikes, house demolitions, the border, prisoners, testing areas and verification mechanisms, without any practical breakthrough on any of them. They added that the strikes did not stop, that the south saw a broad escalation alongside the meetings, and that house demolitions continued, residents were not allowed to return and rebuild, no Lebanese prisoner was released, the border dispute was not settled, Israel did not agree to a new testing area, and no timetable for withdrawal was set.