Lebanon

Volker Türk said some Israeli actions in Lebanon could amount to war crimes, echoing criticism from other human rights groups over the widespread destruction of towns and villages and the dozens of medical workers and journalists killed.

The U.S. State Department announced Monday that operations in three villages deemed part of a “pilot zone” had begun, expected to see Lebanese army troops confiscating Hezbollah’s weapons and phased withdrawals of Israeli troops.

“We will not have any negotiation meetings at any level with the American side in the coming days,” Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.

The framework ⁠agreed on Friday provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from some ​parts ⁠of southern Lebanon, alongside the deployment ‌of the Lebanese army.

Hezbollah has not been part of the talks, which have resulted in several ceasefire agreements that were never implemented on the ground.

Tehran has denied it began discussions on ⁠its nuclear program or agreed to invite International Atomic ​Energy ⁠Agency inspectors back to ‌the country.

President Trump told NBC News he spoke with Israel and expects Vice President Vance to go to Switzerland for peace talks at some point.

Israel has rejected calls to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, which it invaded in March in response to rocket fire by Hezbollah.

Although the fighting in southern Lebanon has not stopped, the strikes have been more limited since the U.S.-Iran deal was reached, and many people displaced from the area have taken the opportunity to check on their houses.