Vatican says 'serious concerns' over Israel-Lebanon deal implementation

Vatican officials expressed significant apprehension on Thursday regarding challenges in implementing the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon deal, following a private meeting between Pope Leo XIV and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. During the 30-minute audience, Aoun urged the pontiff to advocate for Lebanon's pursuit of Israeli forces' withdrawal from southern Lebanon as outlined in the agreement.

The Holy See, while approving the document's signing, voiced serious concerns about the difficulties encountered in its execution and pledged support for resolving these issues. Lebanon and Israel engaged in US-sponsored direct negotiations following Hezbollah's March incursion, which prompted Israel's retaliatory airstrikes and ground invasion.

The June framework agreement mandates Hezbollah disarmament, a phased Israeli force withdrawal, and Lebanese army deployment in targeted zones. Despite a recent ceasefire, intermittent Israeli strikes and extensive demolition activities persist in a 10km-deep strip within Lebanon. At the Vatican, Aoun consulted with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's deputy, and Paul Richard Gallagher, the top Vatican diplomat, focusing on the US-mediated deal.

Aoun called on the Church head to support Lebanon's quest for a complete Israeli withdrawal, enabling reconstruction of Israel's destruction. He also requested continued diplomatic efforts to ensure Israel adheres to the deal's terms and halts attacks on civilians, infrastructure, and villages. This meeting marked the second private audience between Pope Leo and Aoun at the Vatican, following a previous visit to Lebanon last year.

Pope Leo, who has repeatedly advocated for Middle East de-escalation and diplomatic solutions, is also set to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday. Rome has hosted the last two rounds of Israel-Lebanon talks, with Italy and France proposing a multinational coalition to replace the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, whose mandate expires this year.