Lebanon proposes direct negotiations with Israel to end violence

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun proposed holding direct negotiations with Israel during a video conference on Monday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

Aoun presented an initiative aimed at halting the renewed Israeli hostilities against Lebanon, according to a government statement.

The proposal is based on four points: a comprehensive ceasefire, immediate logistical support for the Lebanese armed forces, the full disarmament of Hezbollah and direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under international auspices.

Aoun accused the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah of seeking to push the country toward collapse in service of Iran’s strategic interests, as fighting intensifies between Hezbollah and Israel.

Other regional leader also joined the call, including Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani.

Aoun emphasized that more than 600,000 people have already been displaced in Lebanon as a result of the recent escalation.

“Some of them are wandering the streets, homeless and without the most basic necessities,” he said.

Just over a week ago, Hezbollah – a key ally of Tehran – fired rockets at Israel in response to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, the Israeli military has stepped up its strikes in Lebanon.

Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militia and a political movement, has built a strong presence in Lebanon and sees itself as the main force of resistance against its arch-enemy Israel. Lebanon and Israel remain formally in a state of war.