Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed today (Monday) that the current negotiations are focused on reaching a non-aggression agreement with Israel, explaining that he will not meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before reaching an agreement that ends the war.
Aoun told CNN: “We tell the Israeli government that a military solution will never provide security for northern Israel,” explaining that his country has no choice but negotiations.
He added: “We are trying to benefit from President Trump’s interest in ending this conflict,” pointing out that what is currently being proposed is a non-aggression agreement or a security agreement, but with regard to a peace agreement, we are part of the Arab initiative.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said earlier today that Israel has launched about 3,500 air strikes on Lebanon and hundreds of bombings since the United States announced a ceasefire on April 16.
Salam said after the cabinet meeting: “During the period from April 17 to June 7, Israel carried out 3,491 air strikes, 407 demolition operations, and 6 bulldozing operations that flattened entire villages in the far south of Lebanon,” explaining that Lebanon is striving to maintain the ceasefire, but the latest escalation between Iran and Israel has caused new waves of displacement, which has led to enormous pressure on Lebanon’s ability to accommodate displaced families.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, entered into force after midnight on April 17, while Israeli forces still occupy large areas in southern Lebanon.
More than a million people, equivalent to a fifth of Lebanon’s population, have been displaced due to Israeli raids and evacuation orders across the country since the outbreak of the latest war on March 2.
