Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed that the current direct negotiations have reached a delicate and pivotal stage in the country's history, stressing the need to unify national responsibility to face the challenges of the next phase. He clarified during his reception of a delegation of Beirut MPs that the state is committed to establishing a ceasefire as a top priority that precedes any other steps.
Aoun indicated that the basic pillars of the Lebanese position are to ensure a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories in the South, and to work seriously on the file of prisoner recovery. He also pointed out the importance of addressing outstanding border disputes to ensure long-term stability that ends the ongoing conflict.
The Lebanese President revealed details of the phone call he had with US President Donald Trump, where the latter affirmed Washington's full support for Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. According to Aoun, the US administration expressed its commitment to stand by the Lebanese people to end their suffering and support the path of economic recovery.
The US President had announced that a ceasefire would come into effect for ten days, starting from midnight Thursday/Friday Beirut time. This announcement comes within the framework of international efforts to calm the Lebanese front and give a chance for diplomatic solutions after a bloody military escalation.
Regarding the field arrangements, Aoun affirmed that the Lebanese army would play a pivotal role after the Israeli withdrawal, as immediate deployment would begin up to the international borders. This step aims to end all armed manifestations and confine weapons to the legitimate security forces, thereby ensuring the reassurance of returning residents.
In contrast, escalating statements emerged from the Israeli side, where Security Minister Israel Katz said that military operations against Hezbollah had not ended definitively. Katz warned residents of South Lebanon that they might face new waves of displacement if the Israeli army was forced to resume fighting.
Katz added in a televised statement that ground maneuvers and air strikes had achieved significant goals and gains, but the military mission had not yet been completed according to security assessments. He indicated that any resumption of operations would include the evacuation of residents from areas he described as the 'security zone' to ensure freedom of movement for forces.
On the ground, thousands of Lebanese families began their journey back to their villages in the South immediately after the truce came into effect, amidst an atmosphere of caution and anticipation. For its part, the Lebanese army command called on citizens to be patient in their movements, noting that Israeli violations of the agreement had been observed since the early hours of its implementation.
The ceasefire constitutes the essential entry point for proceeding with the negotiation process, a choice that enjoys broad internal and external support.
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Aoun emphasizes the centrality of the ceasefire in the negotiation process, and Katz threatens the residents of the South with renewed displacement