Lebanese President \u201cJoseph Aoun\u201d said on Thursday that Israel continues to violate the framework agreement reached during the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington, noting the continuation of shelling and the destruction of southern villages occupied by Israeli forces, in addition to the demolition of homes and property.<\/p>\n
\u201cAoun\u201d made the remarks while receiving Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation \u201cSjoerd Sjoerdsma,\u201d with the two sides discussing the political and security situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as bilateral relations and ways to develop cooperation between the two countries.<\/p>\n
The Lebanese president stressed that the Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties in the areas where it has redeployed, considering claims to the contrary as attempts to undermine the military institution, cast doubt on its role and its commitment to the decisions of the political authorities, according to the National News Agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cAoun\u201d explained that the reconstruction of the south is the responsibility of the Lebanese state, but that carrying out this task remains linked to ending the Israeli occupation, stressing that the continued Israeli presence prevents the reconstruction process from moving forward as required.<\/p>\n
Regarding the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, \u201cUNIFIL,\u201d \u201cAoun\u201d reaffirmed his country\u2019s commitment to maintaining its presence in the south, pointing to the role it plays in the region, particularly in supporting stability and assisting the Lebanese authorities.<\/p>\n
He said that, if extending the UN force\u2019s mission proves impossible, Lebanon would welcome any sister or friendly country willing to continue the tasks carried out by \u201cUNIFIL,\u201d particularly those involving support for the Lebanese army and residents of the south in humanitarian, social, health, and educational fields.<\/p>\n
The Lebanese president noted that contacts are ongoing to reach a legal framework that would allow such an international presence in the south, ensuring continued support and preventing a vacuum after \u201cUNIFIL\u2019s\u201d mission ends.<\/p>\n
In the humanitarian context, the Lebanese Ministry of Health recently announced that the overall toll of the war had reached 4,353 killed and 12,323 wounded, at a time when the repercussions of the fighting continue to weigh heavily on large areas of the country.<\/p>\n
As for the direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, no date has yet been set for the eighth round of talks, which is expected to be held in the Italian capital, Rome, while contacts regarding the negotiating track continue.<\/p>\n
The tensions coincide with rapidly developing security and political developments, including a meeting held by Israeli Prime Minister \u201cBenjamin Netanyahu\u201d on Tuesday at his office in Jerusalem with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon \u201cMichel Issa\u201d and U.S. Ambassador to Israel \u201cMike Huckabee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Israel launched a war on Lebanon beginning March 2, 2026, following the launch of missiles by \u201cHezbollah\u201d toward northern Israel, in a move the group said was carried out as \u201crevenge\u201d for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader \u201cAli Khamenei.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the war, Israeli forces took control of dozens of towns in southern Lebanon and continued airstrikes targeting large areas in the south and the Bekaa Valley in the east of the country, even after a ceasefire was announced on April 16. The ceasefire was then extended on April 23 for three weeks, before being extended again on May 15 for 45 days.<\/p>\n
On June 20, it was announced that the ceasefire had led to a reduction in the frequency of Israeli attacks, alongside the continuation of negotiations between the two sides. However, Israeli shelling and demolition operations in southern towns did not stop completely, leaving the security and situation on the ground in the region under continued Lebanese and international monitoring.<\/p>\n
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