Military talks between Lebanon and Israel at the headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Florida, have ended without a breakthrough, with the two sides remaining divided over Israeli involvement in monitoring Hezbollah's disarmament and the need for an independent verification mechanism, sources said.

An American source told Al-Hadath and Al Arabiya that Israel was insisting on participating in oversight of efforts to remove Hezbollah's military equipment, while Lebanon was demanding an independent international mechanism to verify the process.

Lebanese military sources told The New Arab on Thursday that no further negotiating session had been scheduled, although concluding discussions between the Lebanese delegation and CENTCOM could still take place.

The United States was expected to issue a statement on the talks, which focused on monitoring the Lebanese army's operations in designated areas of southern Lebanon and Israel's refusal to halt its military activities, the sources said.

"No breakthrough has been recorded so far," the sources said, describing Israel's position as uncompromising and stressing that Lebanon remained firm in its demand for reciprocal steps.

Beirut argues that it cannot be expected to meet its commitments unilaterally while Israel continues airstrikes and other military operations, including demolitions, bulldozing, explosions and ground incursions in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese army has also rejected Israeli demands for direct military coordination on the ground, insisting instead on an independent verification mechanism involving third parties. Potential participants could include France, the United States and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), following a model similar to the committee established to monitor the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

"The Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties, and all Israeli allegations against it are false," the military sources said.

They argued that continued Israeli attacks and violations were the main obstacles to the army's deployment and the implementation of existing agreements, echoing difficulties encountered after the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024.

Dispute over Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah's disarmament

Lebanon is demanding an end to Israeli attacks and military operations across southern Lebanon, saying the continuing hostilities are putting residents' lives at risk.

Beirut is also pressing for farmers to be allowed to return to their land to harvest crops. Its broader demands include an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the release of prisoners, the return of displaced residents and the reconstruction of areas damaged by the conflict.

Lebanese authorities are seeking a clear timetable for implementing commitments set out in a framework agreement signed with Israel in Washington on June 26.

The agreement is intended to pave the way for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory while enabling the Lebanese state to extend its authority nationwide through its own security forces and establish a state monopoly on weapons.

However, the two sides remain sharply divided over how to implement those commitments, particularly the role of the Lebanese army and the mechanism for verifying its operations.

Israel has refused to expand the designated areas in which the Lebanese army is expected to operate beyond a single zone announced in July. The zone includes the towns of Srifa, Froun and western Zawtar.

Israeli authorities maintain that the Lebanese army has failed to disarm Hezbollah in the designated area and are demanding direct military coordination through joint operations rooms.

Lebanon has rejected that proposal, arguing that verification must be conducted by an independent mechanism rather than through direct cooperation between the Lebanese and Israeli militaries.

Israel has also refused to suspend its attacks or abandon the security zone it has established in southern Lebanon, further complicating efforts to implement the framework agreement.