Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Monday his desire for negotiations with Israel, facilitated by President Donald Trump, to put an end to Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah.
Aoun mentioned that Lebanon has previously engaged in talks with Israel through the mediation of the United States and the United Nations, specifically highlighting the 2022 discussions concerning the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel.
Until recently, Israel and Lebanon lacked formal maritime borders. The urgency of negotiations increased after the discovery of valuable gas deposits in the shared waters. As Aoun pointed out, the U.S. and the U.N. helped establish borders that could lead to a mutually beneficial allocation of these resources for both nations.
“Why can’t we pursue a similar approach to resolve issues, particularly since the war didn’t yield results?” Aoun queried on Monday.
He was referring to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, ignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israeli civilians. In the meantime, a peace agreement facilitated by President Trump was reached between Israel and Hamas this week.
Hezbollah has launched missiles at Israel from Lebanon and distanced itself from Hamas. The conflict has intensified, described as an “endless battle of reckoning” with Israel. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched significant counterattacks, targeting Hezbollah’s leadership and positions near the border.
Israeli operations against Hezbollah persisted even after the peace deal with Hamas was signed, intensifying last week.
Aoun expressed a wish to halt the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel within the broader context of ongoing deals in the Middle East.
“Things seem to be moving toward negotiations aimed at achieving peace and stability. So, we believe that solutions can come from dialogue and discussions. We really need to stay on this path,” he said.
However, Aoun may face challenges in persuading Hezbollah to engage in peace talks. The group, a major political player in Lebanon, has refused to disarm. If anything, the recent peace agreement seems to have bolstered Hezbollah’s position.
Youssef al-Zein, Hezbollah’s media director, remarked, “The situation in Gaza shows that maintaining arms is crucial for the Lebanese people to reclaim their rights.”
He stated that the weapons of Hamas were pivotal in the peace negotiations with Trump, suggesting it would be unwise for Hezbollah to relinquish its own arms.
“The armed resistance in Gaza ultimately encouraged Israel to withdraw and accept these terms. Lebanon should take inspiration from that, understanding that resistance can achieve results that once seemed out of reach,” he added, though this argument might not resonate with those in the devastated Gaza Strip.
Al-Zein listed several conditions Hezbollah would require before commencing talks with Israel: a halt to Israeli airstrikes, the release of Lebanese prisoners, assured funding for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from five sites currently held in Lebanon.
Aoun also emphasized that Israel should stop attacks on Lebanese territory as a prerequisite for negotiations, while Hezbollah would need to cease attacks on Israeli targets. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has claimed it now controls most of the areas previously attacked by Hezbollah.
“The core issue isn’t really the weapon itself; it’s about the intent behind its use. The significant concern is neutralizing that intent, which is a complex issue that won’t be resolved quickly,” he noted.
