Israeli and Hezbollah clashes continue in southern Lebanon as talks address possible troop pullback

What are Israel and Lebanon negotiating in Washington?

They are discussing a U.S.-backed arrangement in which Israeli forces would leave some areas of southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army would deploy there, with the talks aimed at reducing fighting and creating a security mechanism between the two sides Aol,Sözcü Gazetesi,Milliyet.

Why does the fighting in southern Lebanon matter beyond the Israel-Hezbollah front?

Multiple reports say the violence in Lebanon has become tied to wider U.S.-Iran diplomacy, and that renewed clashes risk disrupting or complicating negotiations between Tehran and Washington NYT,Hindustan Times,RT.

Is Israel withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon?

That remains unclear. A U.S. State Department official said Israel had pulled back from part of the occupied area, but Israeli officials and the military publicly denied reports of a withdrawal, while Israel's defense minister said troops would stay in the security zone Investing.com,Anadolu Ajansı,Interfax.ru,РИА Новости.