The “security zone” refers to a strip of territory where Israeli forces continue to operate, extending about 10 kilometres inside southern Lebanon along the border with Israel. In a post made shortly before the Israeli strikes, Mr Tajani said he hoped the Rome talks would “yield concrete results”. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said direct negotiations would deliver “nothing but shame, humiliation” and a string of concessions for Lebanon. Still, Lebanon continues to report sporadic Israeli strikes and shelling, along with detonations and demolitions in southern villages. Since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah broke out in early March, Israel’s military has lost 38 soldiers and one civilian contractor.