BEIRUT: Talks between Israel and Lebanon that were scheduled to take place in Rome next week have been postponed and will instead be held in October, Axios reported on Friday, citing a US official.

Jewish holidays, a Paris conference and preparations for the United Nations General Assembly prevented participants from convening in Rome, Axios cited a source as saying. The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors are expected to meet in Washington, accorgdin to a post on X.

The delay came as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made a surprise visit to the country’s south on Saturday, pledging to secure an Israeli withdrawal and rebuild the area after Israel captured and destroyed a nearby Hezbollah position.

Lebanese official media said Aoun arrived unannounced in the city of Nabatieh, accompanied by security officials including army chief Rodolphe Haykal. The visit was his first to the south since fighting began between Israel and Hezbollah.

During the visit, Aoun expressed solidarity with residents of Nabatieh, many of whom have fled the area, according to footage broadcast by Lebanese media. He praised workers at Nabatieh Governmental Hospital, saying they were risking their lives to provide medical services.

“We stand by your side, and we are looking into how to provide all the necessary services so that you can remain here safely,” Aoun said, according to a statement from the presidency.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah had eased between late June and last week following a US-sponsored framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

However, the Israeli military has recently intensified strikes, particularly in the Nabatieh region. On Thursday, Israeli forces blew up underground Hezbollah fortifications on the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge.

The explosion was large enough to trigger a tremor detected by seismic monitoring agencies.

Israeli strikes in the area have killed at least 29 people in recent days, including 12 members of the same family. The Lebanese army warned on Wednesday that Israel’s actions threatened the implementation of the framework agreement.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2026