US-mediated talks under the June 2026 trilateral framework continue to drive expectations for further Israel-Lebanon diplomatic engagement, with envoys holding a positive bilateral meeting in Washington in mid-September and agreeing to reconvene in October. Progress remains stalled over sequencing disputes, as Lebanon seeks an Israeli withdrawal from southern buffer zones before full Hezbollah disarmament while Israel conditions further pullbacks on verifiable Lebanese army control and group demilitarization. Planned rounds in Rome or Tampa around October 20 precede Israeli elections on October 27, amid ongoing IDF operations, infrastructure clearing, and statements indicating no near-term withdrawal. Lebanese officials continue pressing the US for implementation timelines, with recent high-level contacts including Prime Minister Salam’s September meeting with Secretary Rubio underscoring external diplomatic pressure.