Blasts and drone flights continue in Lebanon as Rome talks enter second day

BEIRUT: Israeli military activity continued across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, with multiple explosions reported in border areas and drones again seen over Beirut, as Lebanese and Israeli officials held a second day of US-sponsored negotiations in Rome.

Lebanon's National News Agency said a major explosion was recorded at about 3am in the eastern area of Khiam in Marjayoun district. Later in the morning, another blast was reported in Qantara, also in Marjayoun. The agency also said Israeli forces carried out extensive detonations in valleys and residential areas in Beit Yahoun in Bint Jbeil district.

The explosions took place while Israeli bulldozers were working on roads linking Bint Jbeil city with the border town of Maroun al-Ras. In a separate incident, Israeli forces fired toward residents who had gone to inspect orchards near Majdal Zoun and Mansouri in southern Lebanon. No injuries were reported.

Israeli drones were also reported to be flying over Beirut and its southern suburbs on Wednesday.

Talks continue in Rome

The developments came as a sixth round of direct Lebanon-Israel talks resumed in the Italian capital under US sponsorship. The current round began on Tuesday and entered its second day on Wednesday.

Rome is hosting the sixth round after five earlier meetings in Washington, DC, which led to a framework agreement. Under that arrangement, Israeli forces are to withdraw in stages from occupied Lebanese territory, starting with two pilot areas.

A US State Department spokesperson earlier described the Rome discussions as productive and said they were taking place in a positive atmosphere. The framework agreement, however, does not contain a timetable for withdrawal. It ties the process to the Lebanese army taking complete security control of areas vacated by Israeli troops and to the disarmament of non-state armed groups, with Hezbollah specifically mentioned.

Official Lebanese figures cited ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2 have killed at least 4,324 people, injured 12,223 and displaced more than 1 million. Israel still holds areas in southern Lebanon, including some occupied for decades and others captured during the 2023-24 war.

Aoun backs framework

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday that the US-backed negotiating framework was the best available course and said it had already started to yield results, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency. He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the Orthodox Gathering.

Aoun said Lebanon's objectives were defined and that the country would not compromise on its rights. He also said differences of opinion were acceptable, but conflict was not, adding that internal dialogue should serve the national interest rather than personal motives.

"Our goals are clear, and we will not be lenient when it comes to Lebanon's rights"

He also said:

"Hatred does not build a state or institutions. It destroys"

And added:

"The road is not paved and there are difficulties, but hope is great for achieving results that end the bloodbath"

Marwan Abou Fadel, secretary-general of the Orthodox Gathering and a former lawmaker, said after the meeting that the group backed Aoun's positions and his efforts to help Lebanon emerge from its crisis. He said any attack on the presidency amounted to an attack on the nation's dignity and stressed the importance of unity and support for constitutional institutions during what he described as a sensitive period.

The first day of the direct negotiations ended on Tuesday after a seven-hour meeting at the US Embassy in Rome.

Gaza casualty figures

In Gaza, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Wednesday that 13 Palestinians were killed and 18 injured in Israeli attacks over the previous 24 hours despite a ceasefire that has been in effect since October 10, 2025. The ministry said those brought to hospitals included 12 people newly killed and one person who later died of previous wounds.

Some victims were still under rubble and on roads because ambulance and civil defence teams had not yet been able to reach them. Since the ceasefire began, the ministry said Israeli attacks had killed 1,123 Palestinians and wounded 3,616 others, while 800 bodies had been recovered.

The ministry said the total death toll from Israel's assault on Gaza since October 8, 2023, had reached 73,246, with 173,727 injured, alongside destruction affecting about 90% of civilian infrastructure.