Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon have resumed in Rome, a fresh attempt to salvage a fragile US-brokered agreement that has yet to take hold. But the core demands from each side remain fundamentally at odds, and a key armed group has rejected the deal outright. Main Developments Talks in Italy were meant to advance last month's US-brokered accord, which calls for Hezbollah's disarmament and a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Lebanon insists Israeli troops must leave first, while Israel demands Hezbollah lay down its weapons before any pullout. Since March, Israeli military operations have killed more than 4,000 Lebanese and displaced over 1 million people. Israel currently occupies 600 square kilometres of southern Lebanese territory. Read also: Why the England-Argentina semifinal first half was a tactical chess match Background The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, has simmered for decades, with major escalations in 2006 and again in recent months. The US-brokered agreement represents the latest diplomatic effort to end hostilities, but Hezbollah has publicly rejected the deal, complicating implementation. The Lebanese army, which would be tasked with asserting control over the south under any agreement, faces questions about its capacity to do so effectively. The group's rejection raises doubts about whether the talks can produce a lasting peace. Why It Matters The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether southern Lebanon can stabilise after months of devastating violence. If the deal collapses, further Israeli operations and Hezbollah retaliation could plunge the region into a wider war with catastrophic humanitarian consequences. For the 1 million displaced Lebanese, the talks represent a potential path home. For Israel, the core question is whether Hezbollah can be disarmed without a broader military campaign. What's Next Diplomatic efforts will continue, but with both sides refusing to budge on sequencing, progress remains uncertain. The Lebanese army's ability to fill the security vacuum and Hezbollah's willingness to accept any eventual compromise are the critical unknowns that will shape whether the Rome talks lead anywhere.