Sources close to President Joseph Aoun have said that he is “awaiting a new proposal from the Americans, one that goes beyond previous formulas,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The sources said Aoun has been informed by the Americans that they are in the process of contacting the Israelis regarding a program that could lead to a complete Israeli withdrawal

The next round of talks between Lebanon and Israel might be held in Rome on September 15-16, MTV has reported.

Asharq Bloomberg meanwhile reported that Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on September 28.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa met Tuesday evening in Israel with its prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Joseph Aoun signaled openness to all diplomatic pathways on Wednesday, stating that the primary objective of the ongoing negotiations with Israel is to spare Lebanon from war while protecting its national sovereignty.

"I have outlined the core objectives of the negotiations: sparing Lebanon the scourge of war while safeguarding its sovereignty, stability, and national interests," Aoun said. "I remain open to any option or path that serves these goals, as our ultimate priority is protecting Lebanon and its people."

The Lebanese Army noted Wednesday that “recently, claims attributed to hostile Israeli media outlets have emerged regarding the army’s positions and missions in the south, as well as other fabricated news.”

In a statement, the army affirmed that “the institution’s personnel are committed to its directives and the missions entrusted to them,” and that “they perform their duties out of their belief in their national responsibility to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability, away from any other calculations or considerations.”

The Israeli army said Wednesday that it shot down two drones launched by Hezbollah overnight in Ali al-Taher.

Overnight into Wednesday, violent shelling and airstrikes targeted al-Qantara, Beit Yahoun, Kfar Rumman, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arab Salim, al-Mansouri and the Ali al-Taher ridge.

The EU is looking to launch a mission to train the Lebanese army in the coming months -- but it said it would not replace the U.N. peacekeeping force.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, has roughly 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries, and has been in place since 1978.

Israel is “dissatisfied” with the Lebanese Army’s performance so far in the so-called “pilot zones” in south Lebanon – a U.S.-backed mechanism that began about a month and a half ago, Israel’s public broadcaster reported.

Marking the anniversary of the declaration of Greater Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun called Tuesday for an immediate halt to conflict, a renewed commitment to national sovereignty, and the rebuilding of strong state institutions to revive the country's economy.

"The true challenge today lies in ending wars, safeguarding sovereignty, moving toward building the state and its institutions, and revitalizing the economy and business sector," Aoun said. "This can only be achieved through a collective return to the state, which alone serves as the sole authority for all Lebanese — united by the National Pact as an inclusive foundation that preserves diversity within unity."

A Lebanese boy succumbed to his wounds after an unexploded Israeli ordnance detonated in the southern village of Haboush, the National News Agency said.

Mohammad Ali Ibrahim, whose father Ali Ibrahim was previously killed in an Israeli attack on southern Lebanon, was injured on Monday alongside another child when a bomb left behind by Israeli forces exploded in Haboush.