Rome: US-sponsored talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome ended early Wednesday, coinciding with renewed Israeli airstrikes on areas in southern Lebanon. A US State Department official said the meetings concluded early, at 3:30 PM local time, due to developments on the ground, confirming that talks would resume Thursday according to the current arrangements.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, diplomatic sources reported that the negotiations were suspended at the request of the US side for consultations. Other sources indicated that the Israeli ambassador to Washington, Yehiel Leiter, requested a temporary halt to the talks due to what he described as "misleading leaks" from the Lebanese delegation. A Lebanese diplomatic source stated that the US delegation requested the suspension to conduct its own consultations.

Sources confirmed that the talks are expected to resume Thursday morning, but the Lebanese diplomatic source indicated that significant developments on the ground could prevent the resumption of sensitive technical negotiations, noting that contacts are ongoing to de-escalate the situation.