{
  "id": 153863,
  "title": "Hezbollah chief criticises Lebanon's direct talks with Israel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/hezbollah-chief-criticises-lebanons-direct-talks-with-israel",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-04T23:45:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/hezbollah-chief-criticises-lebanese-direct-talks-israel"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has criticised Lebanese President Joseph Aoun over direct negotiations with Israel, describing him as \"biased and divisive\". According to Middle East Eye, Qassem made the comments in a televised address.\n\nThe talks between Lebanon and Israel are ongoing in Rome, facilitated by the US. They began on Tuesday and are set to continue until Thursday. The discussions focus on verifying areas entered by the Lebanese Armed Forces under the pilot phase of Hezbollah's disarmament, with Italy potentially taking on a role in this process, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.\n\nLebanon is seeking Israel's phased withdrawal from the country's south, Al-Monitor reports. The talks are taking place at the US embassy in Rome, with delegations from both countries in attendance. The US has expressed its commitment to supporting both governments in the process, aiming to deliver lasting security for both countries and restore Lebanese state authority throughout the south.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "What to know about Lebanon-Israel 7th round of talks held in Rome",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/what-to-know-about-lebanon-israel-7th-round-of-talks-held-in-rome",
        "published": "2026-08-04T09:30:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Lebanon and Israel hold new round of direct talks in Rome",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/lebanon-and-israel-hold-new-round-of-direct-talks-in-rome",
        "published": "2026-08-04T11:27:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Lebanon and Israel still split over disarming Hezbollah at Rome talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/lebanon-and-israel-still-split-over-disarming-hezbollah-at-rome-talks",
        "published": "2026-08-05T11:01:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Israel resumes Lebanon strikes as talks under way in Rome",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/israel-resumes-lebanon-strikes-as-talks-under-way-in-rome",
        "published": "2026-08-05T14:52:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Israel resumes military strikes on southern Lebanon as Rome hosts peace talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/israel-resumes-military-strikes-on-southern-lebanon-as-rome-hosts",
        "published": "2026-08-05T15:20:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Israel strikes south Lebanon after first evacuation warning in weeks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/israel-strikes-south-lebanon-after-first-evacuation-warning-in-weeks",
        "published": "2026-08-05T20:03:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}