Jerusalem Post/Middle EastIsrael, Lebanon, and the US are discussing which countries will take over verifying that areas entered by the LAF are free from Hezbollah. Follow us on GoogleA member of the Lebanese army sits on a military vehicle in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, after the withdrawal of Israeli forces under a US-mediated plan, in southern Lebanon, July 26, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/AZIZ TAHER/FILE PHOTO)ByAMICHAI STEINAUGUST 4, 2026 21:12Israel, Lebanon, and the United States are discussing which country, or countries, will be responsible for verifying that areas entered by the Lebanese Armed Forces during the pilot phase of Hezbollah’s disarmament are free of both Hezbollah operatives and weapons, three sources familiar with the talks told The Jerusalem Post.Italy is among the countries being considered for the role. Notably, this comes after Israel and Lebanon concluded the first day of US-backed talks in Rome on Tuesday.On Tuesday, Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal met with Lt.-Gen. Giovanni Maria Iannucci, commander of Italy’s Joint Operations Command.According to a statement released by the Lebanese Army, the two discussed "the overall situation, recent developments, ways to support the Lebanese Army in light of the challenges it faces, and the available options for the period following the end of UNIFIL's mission."At the start of the negotiations, Israel insisted that it should be authorized to enter areas secured by the Lebanese Armed Forces and provide final confirmation that they had been cleared of Hezbollah operatives and weapons.Lebanese army officers on a military vehicle drive in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a village in southern Lebanon, following the deployment of Lebanese soldiers in one of three pilot zones after the withdrawal of Israeli forces under a US-brokered plan, July 26, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/ZOHRA BENSEMRA)Who will verify Hezbollah disarmament without UNIFIL?Following strong opposition from the Lebanese government, however, Israeli, Lebanese, and US officials began discussing whether another country, or group of countries, could carry out the verification process instead.Israel and the United States firmly oppose extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which is due to expire at the end of the year. They also do not want the multinational peacekeeping force to be responsible for conducting the final verification on the ground.One source familiar with the discussions told the Post that no final decision had been made and that several alternatives remained under consideration.Follow us on Google