Lübnan Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanı
Lebanon’s president urges US solidarity as Israeli troops occupy south
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday urged the United States to stand by his country, after reaching a US-backed framework deal with Israel aiming to permanently end hostilities after the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. The deal reached in Washington calls for the disarmament of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army there, starting with two “pilot” areas. Hezbollah has rejected the deal, which does not...
Aoun: Peace deal does not legitimize Israel's presence
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that the trilateral peace framework, signed last week between Lebanon, the United States and Israel, seeks to "empower" the Lebanese military and not legitimize the presence of the Israeli military in Lebanon, AzerNEWS reports.
Israel launches fresh strikes in Lebanon despite truce
• Two injured in new wave of air raids reported across southern towns BEIRUT: Israel continues to attack southern Lebanon, launching fresh air strikes and refusing to withdraw its forces from occupied Lebanese territory, despite a recent US-sponsored ceasefire framework agreement being in place to pave the way for a permanent end to the war. The Lebanese state-run news agency reported that Israeli forces carried out at least three strikes on Thursday night. The attacks hit near the town of Baraachit in the Bint Jbeil area, as well as in Nabatiyeh Al-Fawqa. The agency also reported two injuries in an Israeli strike on the town of Seddiqine near Tyre. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said on Friday it had hit several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon a day earlier. The army claimed the sites in Bint Jbeil, Beit Yahoun, Kounine and Baraachit “were used by Hezbollah to advance attacks against IDF soldiers”. Israeli officials have repeatedly ruled out withdrawing troops, maintaining that any departure would happen only after Hezbollah has been disarmed across Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, vowing that his country’s forces would stay in the area as long as Iran-backed Hezbollah remained a threat. The deal between Israel and Lebanon makes any Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese land conditional on Beirut disarming Hezbollah, starting with “pilot zones” that the Lebanese military will take over. Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Since then, heavy Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion have killed around 4,300 people in Lebanon, according to local authorities. In the same period, the Israeli military reported 38 soldiers and one civilian killed. Meanwhile, the continued military occupation has stalled regional recovery. In a report on Thursday, the IOM said “646,107 IDPs (internally displaced persons) have begun returning to their communities”, while about 500,000 other people remain displaced, based on data collected in coordination with local authorities since June 22. An agreement signed by Tehran and Washington last month established a ceasefire in Lebanon starting June 21. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have returned to their homes in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Lebanese authorities say they have worked to remove informal tent encampments in and around Beirut and reduce the number of official shelters. But it remains impossible to return to dozens of towns and villages near the southern border, many of which have suffered massive destruction. Human rights organisations are sounding the alarm over the US-backed framework. Amnesty International and five other non-governmental organisations warned on Friday that the agreement “threatens to betray war crimes victims in Lebanon”. They argued parts of the text aim to prevent victims of international crimes from seeking justice, adding that the document seems to “acquiesce to the prolonged and indefinite forced displacement of tens of thousands of residents of vast swathes of southern Lebanon occupied by Israeli forces”. Reacting to criticism of the agreement, particularly from Hezbollah, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun insisted on Friday that the document “does not legitimise the continuation of the Israeli occupation in Lebanon”. He said the absence of a set timetable was because it is merely a “framework formula” rather than a finalised peace deal. “Our shared objective is one: to secure Israel’s withdrawal,” Aoun said. Aoun responded to human rights groups’ criticisms of Article 13 of the agreement by adding that it affirms the suspension of legal proceedings between states but “does not preclude” private entities from pursuing legal action. Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2026
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi ÖldürdüAoun vows Lebanon won’t surrender territory to Israel
• Defends Israel talks as ‘diplomatic war’, not betrayal • Syrian FM rules out any military action in Beirut BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday defended a recently signed US-backed framework agreement with Israel, arguing the negotiations are not a betrayal and vowing he will not surrender “a single inch of Lebanese territory”. The statements came as Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited Beirut to assure Aoun that Damascus has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon, despite pressure from the United States to do so. Aoun said Beirut decided to engage in talks “to guarantee Israel’s withdrawal from its territory”. Lebanon last week signed the framework agreement aimed at securing peace between the two nations, a move that sparked major protests from Hezbollah. “Negotiations with Israel are not treason but a diplomatic war without unnecessary bloodshed,” Aoun said on Thursday, according to the presidency. “We will not yield a single inch of Lebanese territory.” The latest war erupted on March 2 when Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with air strikes and a ground invasion that authorities say have killed more than 4,200 people in Lebanon. The framework agreement envisions the Lebanese army gradually establishing its authority over southern Lebanon as Hezbollah disarms and Israel withdraws. The process does not currently have a timeline and will be detailed in an undisclosed security annex. However, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the Israeli army would remain “until further notice” in what it describes as “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the zone in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, reaffirming that forces would remain as long as Hezbollah “poses a threat”. Meanwhile, Syrian diplomatic efforts in Beirut sought to ease regional tensions. Shaibani told Aoun he wanted “to clear up the confusion sparked by reports of a potential Syrian military intervention in Lebanon”, adding that “Syria had no intention of undertaking such a move”, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that Syria could “take care of Hezbollah”, criticising Israel’s strategy in its war with Hezbollah. Mr Shaibani extended an invitation from Sharaa for Aoun to visit Syria, which would mark a first. He also met Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, and later told reporters he did not rule out a future meeting with Hezbollah. Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2026
Aoun'dan 'diplomatik savaş': 'Tek karış toprak vermeyeceğiz'; Suriye'den Beyrut garantisiTrump'ın çıkışı sonrası Suriye'den dikkati çeken mesaj
ABD Başkanı Donald Trump'ın "İsrail'e Hizbullah meselesini Suriye'nin halletmesine izin vermesini önerdim, bu işi onların çok daha iyi yapacağını düşünüyorum." şeklindeki çıkışının ardından yeni bir gelişme yaşandı. Suriye Dışişleri Bakanı Esad el Şibani, ülkesinin çıkarları için gerekirse Lübnan Hizbullahı ile görüşebileceğini söyledi. Suriye Dışişleri Bakanı Esad el Şibani, bugün Beyrut'a gerçekleştirdiği ziyaret kapsamında, çıkarların gerektirmesi halinde Lübnan Hizbullah'ı ile görüşmeye açık olduklarını ifade etti. Şibani, ziyareti sırasında Cumhurbaşkanı Joseph Aoun ve Hizbullah'ın müttefiki olan Meclis Başkanı Nebih Berri'nin de aralarında yer aldığı Lübnan hükümet liderleriyle görüştü. Bu temas, ABD Başkanı Donald Trump'ın Lübnan'daki Hizbullah yapılanmasıyla mücadele için Suriye güçlerinin devreye girmesi olasılığını gündeme getirmesinin ardından gerçekleştirilen ilk ziyaret niteliği taşıyor. Suriye Devlet Başkanı Ahmed el Şara, daha önce Suriye güçlerinin Lübnan topraklarına gireceğine yönelik iddiaları asılsız söylentiler olarak nitelendirip yalanlamıştı. Suriye'yi şu an yöneten eski muhalifler ve askeri komutanlar, eski Devlet Başkanı Beşar Esad rejimine destek vermek amacıyla Suriye'de konuşlanan Hizbullah unsurlarına karşı uzun yıllar boyunca savaşmıştı. Suriye'de iktidara gelen yeni yönetim, 14 yıllık iç savaşın yaralarını sarmaya çalışan ülkede istikrarı korumak adına askeri adımlarını ve ittifak dengelerini hassasiyetle yürütüyor. Lübnan resmi haber ajansının aktardığı açıklamalarında Şibani, bugünkü görüşmelerinde Hizbullah dosyasının gündeme gelmediğini ancak Suriye tarafının grup ile bir araya gelmeye açık olduğunu kaydetti. Ajans, Şibani'nin açıklamalarına dair henüz ayrıntılı bir bilgi paylaşmadı. Lübnan Cumhurbaşkanı Joseph Aoun'un ofisinden yapılan açıklamada ise komşu ülkeler Suriye ve Lübnan'ın karşılıklı olarak birbirlerinin istikrarını arzuladığı, Şam yönetiminin Lübnan'ın iç işlerinde taraf tutmayacağı konusunda Şara'nın Aoun'a güvence verdiği aktarıldı. Yeni Şam yönetimi, ABD, İsrail ve İran arasındaki bölgesel çatışmaların büyük oranda dışında kalmayı tercih ediyor. Diğer yandan Hizbullah, Güney Lübnan'da geniş çaplı yıkıma yol açan askeri bir çatışma içinde İsrail ile savaşıyor. ABD öncülüğünde yürütülen çatışmaları durdurma girişimleri askeri hareketliliği azaltsa da kalıcı barışı henüz sağlayamadı. TRUMP'IN AÇIKLAMALARI DİKKATİ ÇEKMİŞTİ ABD Başkanı Donald Trump geçen ay yaptığı açıklamada, İsrail'in Lübnan'da çok sayıda sivil kayba yol açmasını eleştirdikten sonra Ahmed el Şara ile Hizbullah ile mücadele konusunu görüştüğünü açıklamıştı. Trump açıklamasında, "İsrail'e Hizbullah meselesini Suriye'nin halletmesine izin vermesini önerdim, çünkü dürüst olmak gerekirse bu işi onların çok daha iyi yapacağını düşünüyorum" ifadelerini kullanmıştı. ŞAM YÖNETİMİ ÇATIŞMAYA ÇEKİLMEKTEN KAÇINIYOR Suriye resmi medyasında yer alan haberlere göre Devlet Başkanı Ahmed el Şara, bu açıklamaların ardından Suriye güçlerinin Lübnan'a gireceğine dair söylentilerin tamamen asılsız olduğunu dile getirdi. Reuters haber ajansının mart ayında yayımladığı bir haberde, ABD'nin Suriye'yi, Hizbullah'ın silahsızlandırılmasına yardımcı olmak üzere Lübnan'ın doğusuna askeri güç göndermeye teşvik ettiği aktarılmıştı. Ancak Şam yönetiminin, Ortadoğu'daki savaşın içine çekilmekten ve hem Suriye hem de Lübnan'daki mezhepsel hassasiyetleri tetiklemekten çekindiği için bu misyona sıcak bakmadığı bildirilmişti. ABD'nin Ankara Büyükelçisi ve Suriye Özel Temsilcisi Tom Barrack ise ABD'nin Suriye'yi Lübnan'a güç göndermeye teşvik ettiğine dair haberleri yalanlayarak bu iddiaların gerçeği yansıtmadığını açıkladı.
Bahçeli'den Uluslararası Düzene 'Beka Satrancı' Uyarısıİsrail-Lübnan anlaşmasında neler var?
İsrail ve Lübnan, Hizbullah ile çatışmaları sona erdirmeyi amaçlayan üçlü çerçeve anlaşmasını Washington'da imzaladı. İsrail ve Lübnan, Hizbullah ile İsrail güçleri arasındaki çatışmaları sona erdirmeyi amaçlayan müzakerelerin ardından, dün Washington'da bir çerçeve anlaşması imzaladı. Her iki taraf da imzalanan belgeyi nihai bir çözümden ziyade başlangıç aşamasında bir adım olarak değerlendirdi. Lübnan'ın Washington Büyükelçisi Nada Moawad ve İsrailli mevkidaşı Yechiel Leiter, ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığında düzenlenen törenle üçlü belgeye imza attı. Tören sırasında anlaşmanın detaylarına ilişkin sınırlı bilgi paylaşıldı. İsrail Başbakanı Binyamin Netanyahu, anlaşmanın, Hizbullah'ın silahsızlanmaması durumunda İsrail kuvvetlerine Lübnan'ın güneyini işgal altında tutmaya devam etme yetkisi verdiğini açıkladı. İmza töreninden önce konuşan ABD Dışişleri Bakanı Marco Rubio, "Bugün hiç şüphesiz zorlu ancak önemli, elzem ve gerekli olacak bir yolculuğun ilk adımını attık" ifadelerini kullandı. Rubio, daha sonra yaptığı yazılı açıklamada, ABD'nin anlaşmanın uygulanmasını kolaylaştırmak amacıyla üçlü bir "Lübnan Askeri Koordinasyon Grubu" kurulmasına destek vereceğini belirtti. Bakan ayrıca, Washington'ın Birleşmiş Milletler (BM) ile koordineli olarak acil 100 milyon dolarlık insani yardım da dahil olmak üzere bölgeye önemli kaynaklar aktaracağını taahhüt etti. Rubio, ABD'nin mevcut yetki ve bütçe tahsisleri kapsamında sağlayacağı 30 milyon dolardan fazla fonla, Lübnan Silahlı Kuvvetlerinin "Lübnan topraklarında egemenliği daha etkin şekilde tesis etme" kabiliyetini artırma niyetini yinelediğini kaydetti. İsrail ile Hizbullah arasındaki savaş, ABD ve İsrail'in İran'a yönelik gerçekleştirdiği saldırılardan günler sonra, silahlı grubun 2 Mart'ta İsrail'e ateş açmasıyla başlamıştı. Hizbullah'ın saldırıları üzerine İsrail'in başlattığı hava ve kara operasyonlarında Lübnan'da 4 binden fazla kişi hayatını kaybetti, 1 milyondan fazla insan ise yerinden oldu. Lübnan Büyükelçisi Moawad da bu mutabakatı, Lübnan'ın egemenliğini yeniden tesis etme yolunda atılmış bir "ilk adım" olarak nitelendirdi. İsrail Büyükelçisi Leiter ise imza sonrası yaptığı açıklamada, "İran devre dışı, Hizbullah devre dışı; İsrail ve Lübnan arasında barışa giden yol ise devrede" şeklinde konuştu. "PİLOT BÖLGELER" ARACILIĞIYLA AŞAMALI ÇEKİLME İsrail Başbakanı Netanyahu yaptığı açıklamada, anlaşmanın Lübnan ordusunun "toprakların kontrolünü ele almak için örgütlenmeye başlamasına" da olanak tanıyacağını belirtti. Netanyahu, bu sürecin öncelikle İsrail askerlerinin savaş sırasında işgal ettiği alanlardan çekileceği iki "pilot bölge" ile başlayacağını kaydetti. İsrail, söz konusu toprakları, Hizbullah'ın İsrail'in kuzeyine yönelik saldırılarını engellemek için kurulan bir "güvenlik bölgesi" veya "tampon bölge" olarak tanımlıyor. Lübnan Cumhurbaşkanı Joseph Aoun ise anlaşmanın, Lübnanlıların "tamamen özgürleştirilmiş" topraklara ve yeniden inşa edilmiş evlerine, egemenliklerinde "hiçbir ortak" olmadan dönmelerini sağlaması gerektiğini ifade etti. Çatışmaların bu döneminde İsrail tarafında en az 32 asker ve 4 sivil hayatını kaybetti. Hizbullah askeri kayıplarına ilişkin resmi bir veri açıklamadı. Bir ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı yetkilisi, perşembe günü Reuters'a yaptığı açıklamada, İsrail'in işgal ettiği bazı bölgelerden çekilmeyi kabul ettiğini belirtmiş, ancak bu iddia İsrailli ve Lübnanlı yetkililer tarafından yalanlanmıştı. Bu hafta müzakereler yeniden başlamadan önce, İsrail ve Hizbullah, İsrail askerlerinin Lübnan'ın güneyindeki varlığını sürdürmesi koşuluyla ateşi kesme konusunda anlaşmaya varmıştı. Ateşkes kararına rağmen bölgede şiddet olayları devam etti. İsrail ordusu, cuma günü yaptığı açıklamada, işgal altında tuttuğu bölgelerin yakınında faaliyet gösterdiğini iddia ettiği 7 Hizbullah üyesinin vurularak öldürüldüğünü duyurdu. İmza töreninin ardından gazetecilere konuşan Leiter, "Lübnan ordusunun Hizbullah'ı tasfiye etme ve silahsızlandırma konusundaki performansına bağlı olarak, ek pilot bölgelerle sürece devam edeceğiz ve nihayetinde uluslararası alanda tanınan, güvenli ve üzerinde mutabık kalınan bir sınır belirleyeceğiz" dedi. Diğer taraftan, yanlısı Al Mayadeen televizyonunun aktardığına göre, Hizbullah'ın Lübnan parlamentosundaki Milletvekili Hassan Fadlallah, Lübnan makamlarının ABD desteğiyle "bir iç savaşa sürüklenmedikleri sürece" bu anlaşmayı uygulama gücüne sahip olamayacaklarını belirtti. Fadlallah, Hizbullah'ın Lübnan makamları tarafından atılacak her türlü adıma karşı koyacağını ve silahlarına daha sıkı sarılacağını vurgulayarak, grubun muhalefetinin "ciddi" olduğunu ve yetkililerin sahadaki taahhütlerini yerine getirmesine izin vermeyeceklerini ifade etti. İSRAİL, LÜBNANLI SİVİLLERE TAHLİYE BROŞÜRLERİ DAĞITTI Lübnan devlet medyasının aktardığına göre, İsrail kuvvetleri cuma günü Lübnan'ın güneyindeki Mansouri kasabasına havadan broşürler atarak bölge sakinlerinden burayı terk etmelerini istedi. Bu gelişme, İsrail ile Hizbullah arasında yürürlüğe giren son ateşkesten bu yana yapılan ilk tahliye uyarısı oldu. Üst düzey bir Lübnanlı askeri yetkili, İsrail'in son dönemde Mansouri'yi kendi işgal bölgesine dahil ettiğini söyledi. Yetkili, Lübnanlı çiftçilerin kasabaya girip çıkmaya devam ettiğini ancak burada yerleşik olarak yaşamadıklarını aktardı. İsrail askeri sözcüsü ise ordunun sivil nüfusa yönelik bir "hatırlatma" yayımladığını belirterek, "Bu bölge, İsrail askerlerinin faaliyet gösterdiği güvenlik bölgesi sınırları içindedir. Bu, sivillerin zarar görmemesi için bölgede bulunmamaları gerektiğine dair bir hatırlatmadır" dedi. ÜÇLÜ ÇERÇEVE ANLAŞMANIN DETAYLARI ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı, bugün ABD, Lübnan ve İsrail arasında imzalanan "Üçlü Çerçeve" anlaşmasının resmi maddelerini yayımladı. Belgede, İsrail ve Lübnan hükümetlerinin, ABD'nin desteğiyle "kalıcı bir barış ve güvenliği sağlama yönündeki ortak hedeflerini teyit ettikleri" belirtildi. Metne göre, Lübnan ve İsrail çatışmayı sona erdirmeyi, her iki ülkenin de egemenliğini ve güvenliğini garanti altına almayı ve barışçıl komşuluk ilişkileri kurmayı amaçlıyor. Belgede, "İsrail ve Lübnan, her birinin barış içinde var olma hakkını ve iki egemen komşu devlet olarak güvenlik içinde yaşama arzusunu teyit eder" ifadesi yer aldı. Anlaşma kapsamında İsrail ve Lübnan, "çatışmaya kesin olarak son verme, nedenlerini ortadan kaldırma ve aralarındaki savaş durumunu resmi olarak bitirme niyetlerini" beyan etti. İki tarafın da tüm askıda kalan meselelerin kapsamlı çözümü için geri dönülemez bir ilerleme kaydetmeyi amaçladığı vurgulandı. Ayrıca taraflar, Lübnan ordusunun fiili egemenliğini yeniden tesis edeceği karşılıklı ve sıralı bir sürece bağlı kalmayı taahhüt etti. Bu kapsamda, Lübnan'daki devlet dışı silahlı grupların silahsızlandırılması ve bunlara ait altyapının tasfiye edilmesinin doğrulanması öngörülüyor. Anlaşmaya göre, Lübnan ordusu pilot bölgelerde tam ve etkin güvenlik sorumluluğunu kademeli olarak üstlenecek. Lübnan hükümeti, devletin güç kullanma tekelini yeniden kurmak ve doğrulanabilir, eksiksiz bir silahsızlanmayı sağlamak için çalışacak. Beyrut yönetimi, bu amaç doğrultusunda uluslararası ortaklardan destek talep ederek, Lübnan'ın savunması ve güvenliğinden yalnızca kendi resmi güvenlik güçlerinin sorumlu olduğunu teyit etti. Mutabakat uyarınca, anlaşmanın eksiksiz uygulanmasını denetlemek amacıyla ABD'nin katılımı ve desteğiyle bir "Lübnan-İsrail Askeri Koordinasyon Grubu" kurulacak. Lübnan hükümeti, ordunun askeri ve güvenlik kontrolünü yaymasını sağlayacak performans odaklı ve sıkı bir programı uygulamayı üstlenecek. Metinde ayrıca, Lübnan'daki devlet dışı silahlı gruplara finansman akışının engellenmesi için gerekli yasal tedbirlerin alınması ve kapsamlı bir barış anlaşması taslağı hazırlamak üzere çalışma grupları oluşturulması kararlaştırıldı. Belgede, güney Lübnan'da güvenliğin yeniden sağlanmasının, sivillerin geri dönüşünün ve İsrail yerleşimlerinin güvenliğinin temin edilmesinin barışın gerekliliklerinden olduğu belirtilirken; Washington'ın, Lübnan hükümetine yeniden imar ve ekonomik kalkınma süreçlerinde destek olmak amacıyla uluslararası ortaklarını harekete geçireceği ifade edildi.
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi ÖldürdüIsrael, Lebanon deny US claim of troop pullback from south
• Tel Aviv refuses withdrawal despite US citing ‘good faith’ retreat; ties any redeployment to Hezbollah disarmament • Three killed in Israeli drone strike in south; Beirut says Israeli presence still blocks Lebanese army access • Marco Rubio says both nations close to ‘commitment of intent’ in Washington talks BEIRUT: Senior Israeli and Lebanese officials denied on Thursday that there had been any Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanon, contradicting a US official who said Israel pulled troops back in a good faith gesture toward Lebanon’s government. A US State Department official claimed Israel had taken a concrete step by pulling back from a portion of its 10-kilometre buffer zone, describing it as a “significant demonstration of good faith” meant to allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to move in and clear out terrorist weapons. However, a senior Israeli defence official denied any pullback, asserting Israel will not withdraw from the buffer zone it established to protect northern Israeli communities. Israel’s military confirmed there was no change in its soldiers’ locations. A senior Lebanese military official also dismissed the US claim, stating that developments on the ground “show the opposite of a pullback”, as Israel continues to enforce the zone against anyone approaching, including the Lebanese army. The “pilot zone” proposal is part of the latest round of US-mediated talks in Washington, focusing on handing occupied territory to Lebanon’s military. Disputes have emerged over the withdrawal mechanism. Lebanon wants the pilot plan implemented within Israel’s buffer zone, while Israel wants to start by withdrawing from areas north of that zone without setting a timeline. Disarmament demands Israeli officials maintained on Thursday that forces will only withdraw from southern Lebanon after Hezbollah is completely disarmed. “We will not withdraw our forces from southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains a threat, is not disarmed and is not demilitarised,” Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told reporters. He emphasised that any redeployment of military forces would occur only after the area’s demilitarisation. “We’ve already been in this situation in 2024,” Mencer added. “Hezbollah were supposed to be disarmed. They weren’t.” Echoing this stance, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Israel opposed withdrawing from the security zone despite pressure. Katz stated the military would remain in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for as long as necessary. Deadly Israeli strikes continue Despite the ongoing negotiations and a broader lull in fighting, an Israeli strike on a vehicle in southern Lebanon killed three people on Thursday. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that a drone targeted a vehicle on the road between Zawtar and Mayfadoun, killing three people and wounding one. An Israeli military official confirmed the strike. The attack marks the second consecutive day such an event occurred and is the third deadly incident since Tuesday, bringing the number of people killed in Israeli attacks this week to seven. Diplomatic progress praised Even amid the violence and conflicting withdrawal claims, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the progress made during the direct talks in Washington, which are slated to wrap up on Thursday. “I think we are very close in our hopes of getting a commitment of intent between the two countries,” Rubio told reporters during a visit to Bahrain. “It’ll be a process, it’ll take some time, it’ll take a lot of work, but I can tell you that for the first time in 30 years, the sovereign government of Lebanon is speaking to the government of Israel directly.” Under US pressure, Lebanese officials began the direct talks with Israel in April. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasised on Wednesday that these negotiations remain separate from US peace talks with Iran. Published in Dawn, June 26 , 2026
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi ÖldürdüCan mediators save the Iran deal despite the Lebanon poison pill?
On June 18, Iran and the U.S. signed an agreement, titled the “Islamabad Memorandum,” which committed both countries to an immediate and permanent end to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and 60 days of negotiations to reach a final agreement. Within 48 hours, Iran had closed the strait again. The reason was neither the failure of nuclear negotiations (which hadn’t yet commenced) nor a dispute over sanctions relief. It was Lebanon, a country that appears in the deal’s opening clause three times. The Lebanese government was not a party to the negotiations, nor was it consulted. What the Lebanon standoff reveals is that the Islamabad Memorandum was designed to solve American problems without resolving the structural deadlocks that keep Lebanon at war. If fully implemented, the Islamabad Memorandum would be the most consequential diplomatic instrument produced in the Middle East in years. But its Lebanon provisions are irreconcilable on their face because the parties whose behavior in Lebanon actually matters (Israel, Iran, Hezbollah and Lebanon’s executive) hold interests that cannot be simultaneously reconciled. What has kept the deal alive in its chaotic first week has been the sheer energy of its mediators. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, praised Qatar and Pakistan for their “tireless” mediation. The meetings reportedly spanned 18 hours of talks at a lakeside resort in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. Despite a major hiccup, during which Iran’s negotiating team reportedly left the building after a threat by President Donald Trump to “hit Iran very hard again,” talks did not collapse. By Monday, Pakistan and Qatar announced a “de-confliction cell” for Lebanon, to ensure events in Lebanon don’t collapse talks between the U.S. and Iran. Iran’s top diplomat called the Lebanon cell the deal’s “first real test,” which is an apt description of the challenge that lies therein. The mediators have not resolved Lebanon’s contradiction, though they have, for now, built a structure to manage it and hopefully prevent it from threatening to unravel the entire agreement. Article One of the Islamabad Memorandum requires “ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon.” This means that Israeli forces must leave Lebanese soil. Yet Israel, which currently occupies 234 square miles of the country's south, shows no intention of doing so. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israeli forces will stay “as long as we need to protect our people.” Iran insists a continued Israeli presence violates the agreement. Over the last few days, the gap widened further: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to tell Trump “we cannot fulfill this agreement,” declaring that Lebanon should be “Israel’s playground.” Washington’s ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, floated the idea of deporting all of Hezbollah’s members to “the ‘mothership’ in Iran,” while the Lebanese government position is that Israel’s withdrawal would enable the Lebanese state to “extend its authority...and eliminate any justification for the persistence of weapons.” All parties with a stake in Lebanon hold irreconcilable positions, and Israel, the party doing the occupying, is not even at the table with the U.S. and Iran. President Trump has claimed this doesn’t matter, arguing that “they have a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say.” But the Israeli response, articulated by its finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has been to promise a presence in Lebanon for years, regardless of American demands. Underneath the recent geopolitical wrangling, the internal deadlock in Lebanon is also unchanged. Hezbollah will not discuss disarmament while Lebanese territory is occupied; the group’s leader, Naim Qassem, rejected Israel’s occupation outright and called the Islamabad Memorandum a “great victory” for Iran. The Lebanese executive, led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has pledged to bring all weapons under state control without possessing the means or political consensus to do so. Hezbollah remains a formidable parliamentary force, and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri is a crucial ally who is structurally positioned to prevent any disarmament framework from advancing. The possibility that Tehran will direct funds to Hezbollah once sanctions are relaxed is also real. Over the past year, Iran has reportedly engineered new channels to funnel money to Hezbollah. Washington says funds must not reach the designated terrorist organization, and, defending the agreement, Vice President JD Vance told reporters that “we actually know where the money’s going to move…and we’re going to be able to see if they try to fund terrorist organizations.” Just last week, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qamati for coordinating cash smuggling from Iran to Hezbollah. Despite these measures and crippling sanctions, Iran moved $1 billion to Hezbollah in the first ten months of 2025 alone, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, which used the claim to slap on more sanctions in November of last year. A deal that relaxes those sanctions is unlikely to defund Iran’s most potent regional assets. If the money flows, Hezbollah could recover, with its weapons intact, and its internal position strengthened by the very diplomacy meant to constrain it. Against this, the West’s capacity-building offer to the Lebanese state remains thin relative to the timeline. Washington is mediating historic bilateral talks between Israel in Lebanon, with another round in Washington set for this week. On top of that, it is leading plans to boost support and training for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). France has also announced that it plans to shore up additional support for the LAF by hosting a conference. All of these efforts aim to make the Lebanese army strong enough to disarm Hezbollah — a proposition that, if ever attempted by force, carries the risk of civil war. These efforts are significant, but the LAF has received only $3 billion in U.S. support in over 20 years. The army has been deliberately kept below the threshold that would make it a genuine counterforce to Hezbollah, in large part due to U.S. law, which requires Washington to ensure arms sales to Middle Eastern countries don’t erode Israel’s "qualitative military edge.” The Lebanese army is the price of that doctrine, and that structural reality, built over decades, is now colliding with the 60-day clock set by the Islamabad Memorandum. What is new, however, is the powerful diplomatic will now backing the deal. Qatar and Pakistan have demonstrated bandwidth and persistence that the U.S., distracted and erratic, has not. Trump spent the last week simultaneously threatening Iran, praising Netanyahu as a “warrior prime minister,” and suggesting Syria might fight Hezbollah (an idea that Syria’s president publicly ruled out). Against this background, the mediators have inserted structure, sequencing and follow-through. A ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel has held since Saturday. In the days prior, the White House has taken an unusually stern approach with Israel. Trump said he was “not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon.” Vance went further, warning that Trump is “the only head of state in the entire world sympathetic to Israel.” This public break with a historically untouchable ally helped keep the Iranians at the table in Switzerland, producing the next steps for Lebanon (and other files) proudly broadcast by Pakistan and Qatar on Monday. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spent the day working to consolidate that situation with Vance, White House Envoy Jared Kushner, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani. For the first time, there is a mechanism designed to absorb the shocks that Lebanon keeps generating. The difference, and the danger, this time is that the framework for ending the war in Lebanon is wired directly into a nuclear negotiation and the global energy supply. Every Israeli strike on Lebanese soil now directly impacts the Strait of Hormuz. The test now is whether two determined mediators can use this opportunity to resolve the irreconcilable interests of Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, and the Lebanese leadership.
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi ÖldürdüDiplomats scramble as doubts persist over Lebanon truce
• US, Qatari officials engage Lebanese president, discuss creation of ‘deconfliction cell’ • Ceasefire largely holds; isolated Israeli fire, drone activity, warning shots reported BEIRUT: A ceasefire largely held in Lebanon on Monday, marking the longest lull in three months of war between Hezbollah and Israel, even as persisting fears of a collapse kept displaced residents from returning, while Lebanese president discussed the truce with US and Qatari officials. While adherence to the ceasefire was “almost total” since Saturday evening, a senior Lebanese security official said an Israeli tank fired shells toward a village near Tyre. Israeli forces also fired sound grenades in two other locations on Monday, and an Israeli drone buzzed over Beirut. Hassan Wazni, director of a hospital in the heavily bombarded southern city of Nabatieh, said calm had prevailed since Saturday. “I’m monitoring the situation day by day, and most of the time I’m sleeping in the hospital. This is the longest a ceasefire has held,” Wazni said. However, people remained hesitant to return, he noted, as a prior ceasefire declared on Friday quickly collapsed, leaving 20 people dead in Israeli attacks Saturday, according to Lebanon’s civil defence. “People are still uneasy,” Wazni said. The municipal council of Zawtar El Charqiyeh warned residents on social media against returning until it is safe to do so. Israeli forces remain deployed deep inside southern Lebanon, occupying a self-declared security zone where they have been razing villages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said troops retain full freedom of action to thwart any Hezbollah threats and will remain in Lebanon for “as long as is necessary”, while Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected any Israeli “security zone” inside Lebanon. Israeli strikes and clashes with Hezbollah late last week threatened to derail the deal after Iran said it had closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israel’s attacks. However, Israel lifted safety restrictions in eight border communities early on Monday. Diplomacy Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and halt Israeli military escalation during a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance, senior adviser Jared Kushner and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. They discussed “the issue of consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, stopping the Israeli military escalation and steps that should be taken in this regard, including the possibility of forming a cell for this purpose,” the statement from the Lebanese presidency said. After a first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the broader Middle East war, mediators Pakistan and Qatar announced that Tehran and Washington had agreed to set up the cell while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: “1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell.” Vance told reporters in Switzerland that the mechanism aims to ensure “that when things happen, they don’t spiral into a broader escalation.” “We do believe … that we can get to a place where Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is protected, Israel’s security is protected,” Vance said. “That’s going to require some coordination with the Lebanese armed forces, and also it’s going to require the Iranians to rein in Hezbollah.” Under US pressure, Lebanese officials began direct talks with Israel in April, with a fifth round scheduled for today. Lebanese authorities are seeking the withdrawal of Israeli troops and to separate their negotiations from the US-Iran deal. “We negotiate for ourselves, and we do not accept any other party doing so for us,” Aoun said. “We welcome any assistance … but there is a big difference between trying to help us and interfering in our internal affairs,” he added. Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi Öldürdü47 killed as Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue unabated
• Tel Aviv launches a dozen strikes within an hour after ceasefire • Netanyahu says troops will remain in region ‘as long as necessary’ • Ben Gvir calls for escalation, saying ‘Lebanon must burn’ BEIRUT: Fighting flared anew in Lebanon on Friday, with health authorities reporting at least 47 people killed in Israeli air strikes while Hezbollah forces announced the elimination of four Israeli soldiers. The devastating violence is the worst since the sealing of a US-Iran deal to halt the wider Middle East war, which was supposed to also pause fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Highlighting Israel’s blatant violation of the truce, two Lebanese security sources said Israel carried out a dozen airstrikes in the first hour after the ceasefire came into effect, but none were recorded after 5pm. Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported a fresh Israeli strike on the southern area of Jezzine soon after a US official said on Friday that a ceasefire had been agreed. A Gulf diplomat later confirmed the truce was brokered by Qatar, the US and Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to requests to confirm the ceasefire. Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said: “Everything related to agreements belongs to the political echelon… We will continue to operate according to the directives”. An earlier truce meant to have taken effect in April did little to stop attacks from either side. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported unrelenting bombardments killed at least 47 people — including seven women and two children — and wounded 97 others on Friday. Video footage showed hundreds of civilian cars desperately packing roads in the city of Sidon as families fled Israel’s barrage on southern communities. The Israeli military reported launching “more than 150” strikes since midnight, targeting sites around Nabatieh and attacking the Baalbek region in the east. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rightfully condemned Israel’s latest bombardments as a “dangerous escalation”. Hezbollah fought back against encroaching forces operating around Nabatieh. The Israeli military conceded that Lt Col Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon had “fallen in combat” along with three other occupying troops. Military correspondents confirmed the four were killed when a tank was struck by an anti-tank missile. Another attack severely wounded an Israeli reserve officer. These setbacks drew furious and hostile reactions from Israel’s leadership. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir declared: “Lebanon must burn. … For every tear shed by an Israeli mother, 1,000 Lebanese mothers must weep.” Responding to the cruelty, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accurately accused Israel of seeking “permanent war”. US officials have similarly expressed mounting frustration over Israel’s stubborn and destructive campaign. Refusing peace, Netanyahu decreed on Friday that occupying troops will forcefully remain in south Lebanon “as long as necessary,” threatening to make Hezbollah pay a “heavy price”. Defence Minister Israel Katz similarly vowed the military would stay in Lebanon to respond “with considerable force”. Hezbollah engaged in the conflict in early March to challenge Israel and avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in massive US-Israeli strikes. Despite enduring a catastrophic bombardment campaign, the Lebanese populace remains bravely steadfast. Hassan Tarhini, 57, after being forced from his Nabatieh home, proudly embodied resilient spirit, telling reporters: “We have no problem being displaced once, twice or even 10 times, so long as we return with our heads held high.” Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026
ABD-İran Mutabakatına Rağmen İsrail Güney Lübnan’da 4 Kişiyi ÖldürdüHezbollah chief says Lebanon at 'pivotal' moment after US-Iran deal
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Wednesday urged Lebanese authorities to take advantage of a "pivotal" moment following a US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war, ahead of Israeli-Lebanese negotiations next week. American and Iranian officials, as well as mediator Pakistan, have said the deal includes Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have been at war since March 2. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instead insisted his country's negotiations with Israel in Washington were independent of the regional deal.
ABD-İran Mutabakatı İçin 14 Haziran'da Cenevre'de İmza İddiasıLebanon peace talks with Israel ‘independent’ of US-Iran deal: Aoun
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Wednesday that his country’s negotiations with Israel in Washington were independent of the US-Iran deal to bring an end to the Middle East conflict. Lebanon and Israel have been holding direct talks in Washington since April, seeking to end the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and separate their conflict from the wider regional war. But the announcement on Monday of the US-Iran deal, which Iran and mediator Pakistan say includes Lebanon, has...
Lebanese president discusses southern Lebanon, UNIFIL operations with force commander
President Joseph Aoun met with UNIFIL commander Gen. Diodato Abagnara to discuss conditions in southern Lebanon, including difficulties facing UNIFIL movements and the post-mission phase. Aoun renewed condolences for peacekeepers killed. Despite a US-Iran agreement to end military operations in Lebanon, Israeli forces continued demolitions and shelling on Monday.
Lebanese president appeals to Israeli government to pursue talks, not war
BEIRUT, June 8 (Reuters) - Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made a rare direct appeal to the Israeli government and its people to come to the negotiating table to end the war, warning in a CNN interview aired Monday that a military solution "will never provide you with security and safety." "We are ready, we are willing, we are committed. Are you? If you are, let's sit and talk," said Aoun.
UN widens aid plea as Israel continues to hammer Lebanon
• Israeli attacks kill 12 people in Tyre and Nabatieh • Iran reiterates support for Hezbollah • Lebanese president accuses Tehran of treating his country as bargaining chip in deal with US BEIRUT: Israeli air strikes intensified across southern Lebanon on Friday, killing seven people in the historic city of Tyre and five in Zebdine, Nabatieh district, prompting new evacuation warnings, as Iran reaffirmed support for Hezbollah and the United Nations more than doubled its aid appeal for the war-torn country. The strikes followed warnings of imminent attacks against Hezbollah, coming after the group rejected a US-brokered truce. Lebanon was drawn into the wider Middle East war when Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 to avenge the Feb 28 assassination of Iran’s supreme leader. A strike on Thursday had badly wounded Mona Khalil, a prominent environmental activist in her seventies, a medical source said. She had been holding out in her home in Mansouri near Tyre, near coastline that serves as a nesting site for endangered sea turtles. One strike near Tyre’s Jabal Amel hospital killed four people, wounded seven and lightly damaged the facility. Another in a residential area killed three and wounded five, including two children. An AFP correspondent saw a bank heavily damaged near the hospital. The dead in Nabatieh included a woman and an emergency worker. “The Israeli enemy strike on the town of Zebdine in the Nabatieh district killed five people, including a woman and a paramedic from the Risala Association, and wounded two people including a paramedic,” a ministry statement said. Later on Friday, the Israeli military issued new evacuation warnings for nine southern Lebanese towns and villages, with Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reporting people fleeing. Following orders to leave most of Tyre, many sought shelter in the Old City. With shelters full, displaced people slept in cars or tents. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army will continue ground operations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said on Thursday that Israeli strikes have killed at least 3,526 people since the war began. Three months into the war, the UN on Friday more than doubled its aid appeal for Lebanon, saying nearly $640 million is needed over six months to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. “Communities across Lebanon have faced an appalling situation due to the escalation of hostilities,” Imran Riza, the UN’s resident humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, told reporters in Geneva. “We have witnessed too many casualties, widespread and repeated displacement, destruction of housing and basic service infrastructure, and far-reaching psychological trauma.” Meanwhile, Iran reaffirmed support for Hezbollah and demanded that Israel withdraw from southern Lebanon, underscoring complications facing an interim deal to end the broader conflict between the US and Iran. Tehran has made a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah a condition for any peace deal with Washington. “This war will end only when it ends in Lebanon as well,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Lebanese TV station Al Mayadeen late on Thursday. The comments came after Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected a US-brokered pact, demanding a comprehensive ceasefire without the Israeli enemy having the freedom to kill. However, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday accused Iran of using Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in negotiations with the US, delivering some of his toughest criticism yet of Tehran. In a CNN interview, Aoun said “the people of Lebanon are paying the price … for the sake” of Iran’s interests, adding they were fed up with the war. “They are using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation with the United States,” Aoun said. “It’s unacceptable.” Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2026
İsrail'den Yeni Tahliye Emirleri; ABD Koordinasyonuyla Lübnan'da Derinleşen OperasyonNaqvi takes CDF’s message to Tehran amid stalemate
• IRNA says ‘important message’ meant for Iran’s supreme leader • Interior minister receives instructions from PM before departure ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday stepped up efforts to break the impasse in the US-Iran dialogue, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arriving in Tehran carrying a message from Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Mr Naqvi was received by his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni. Pakistan’s newly appointed ambassador to Iran, Imran Ahmad Siddiqui, was also present. The visit comes at a delicate moment in the diplomatic process that Pakistan has been facilitating for months, as indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran have drifted into what diplomats describe as a fragile stalemate despite both sides continuing to publicly endorse diplomacy over renewed confrontation. Iran’s official news agency IRNA, quoting an informed source, reported that Mr Naqvi was carrying an “important message” from Field Marshal Munir for Mojtaba Khamenei. The source said the interior minister had held extensive consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials before leaving for Tehran. The source further claimed that PM Shehbaz had given special instructions to Mr Naqvi regarding the future course of the Iran-US talks. The Prime Minister’s Office, meanwhile, said in a statement that PM Shehbaz had met the interior minister in Lahore and discussed his visit to Tehran. According to the official statement, Mr Naqvi briefed the prime minister on his recent engagements on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The two also held consultations on the Tehran visit, while the prime minister provided guidance for the discussions. Mr Naqvi had also met Mr Momeni in Bishkek. Diplomatic sources said Mr Naqvi’s mission was part of Pakistan’s efforts to prevent the collapse of a ceasefire arrangement that Islamabad helped broker earlier this year and to create space for the resumption of meaningful negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The ceasefire, reached in April after weeks of intense fighting involving Iran, the United States and Israel, remains formally in place but has been repeatedly tested by military incidents in and around the Gulf region. Recent exchanges involving US strikes on Iranian military assets and Iranian retaliatory actions have further complicated efforts to move negotiations beyond crisis management towards a more comprehensive political understanding. At the centre of the deadlock are disagreements over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, its enrichment programme, the future of sanctions, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and regional security issues. While US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that negotiations remain active and that progress is being made towards a deal, Iranian officials have struck a far more cautious tone. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently said there had been no tangible progress in the talks and that Tehran was still reviewing proposals conveyed through intermediaries. Diplomatic sources familiar with the process said both sides remained far apart on key questions, particularly Washington’s demand for substantial restrictions on Iranian enrichment activities and Tehran’s insistence that its right to peaceful enrichment remains non-negotiable. Complicating matters further is the Lebanon question, which Iranian officials increasingly view as linked to the broader diplomatic track. Tehran has repeatedly argued that any durable arrangement must address developments across all theatres of confrontation, including Lebanon, while Washington has sought to treat the Lebanon-Israel track separately from the nuclear and sanctions negotiations. Against this backdrop, Mr Naqvi’s discussions in Tehran are expected to focus not only on the state of the US-Iran talks but also on regional issues that continue to affect prospects for a settlement. Besides talks with Interior Minister Momeni, the Pakistani minister is expected to meet Foreign Minister Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Meetings with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Bagher Zolghadr are also expected, according to Iranian sources. The significance attached to the visit has fuelled speculation that Islamabad may be attempting to inject fresh momentum into a process that appeared to be losing traction after weeks of military incidents and diplomatic setbacks. Pakistan’s mediation role has drawn increasing international attention in recent months, with both Washington and Tehran publicly acknowledging Islamabad’s efforts and several European governments expressing support for the initiative. Lebanese army chief’s visit Meanwhile, in a related development that attracted attention in diplomatic circles, Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal left for Pakistan on Saturday on an official visit. The Lebanese Armed Forces announced that the visit was being undertaken at the invitation of General Haykal’s Pakistani counterpart, but did not disclose details of its agenda or duration. Officially, the trip is being described as part of ongoing military-to-military cooperation and discussions on training and institutional support. However, the timing of the visit has generated speculation because it coincides with Pakistan’s efforts to overcome obstacles in the US-Iran negotiations and follows renewed tensions in southern Lebanon. Lebanon has increasingly emerged as one of the factors complicating the broader diplomatic process. President Joseph Aoun has recently called for strengthening state authority and reducing the role of non-state armed groups, while Iranian officials have strongly rejected suggestions that Tehran uses Lebanon as leverage in its dealings with Washington. Iran has also linked progress in its discussions with the United States to developments on what it describes as other fronts of the conflict, including Lebanon. Western diplomats say the Lebanese armed forces are expected to play an important role in any future security arrangements in southern Lebanon and have therefore become an important part of regional stabilisation efforts. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
Pakistan'dan İran'a arabuluculuk adımı: Naqvi, Tahran'daLebanese president tells Israel military solutions won't bring security
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told CNN that military operations cannot guarantee lasting security for northern Israeli communities, urging Tel Aviv to abandon force in favor of dialogue as three months of cross-border hostilities continue to displace thousands.
Lebanon–Israel talks must be given a chance
Lebanon–Israel talks must be given a chance Expert comment thilton.drupal 15 April 2026 Rare direct talks are unlikely to succeed in the long-term without Hezbollah disarming, but they are a welcome opportunity for the Lebanese state to regain its authority in foreign policy and pursue confidence-building measures with Israel. The US hosted direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington this week against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the US, along with the US ambassador to Lebanon, met in Washington on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chaired the meeting, which he hailed as a ‘historic gathering that we hope to build on.’ The State Department said that both sides agreed to ‘launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue.’ While significant hurdles remain, most notably the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament, these talks should be welcomed as an important initial confidence-building measure that lays the ground for much-needed future negotiations. Importantly, this reasserts the Lebanese state’s independence and authority in foreign policy. New cast, same plot? The talks bring back memories of when the two sides met directly and signed a short-lived accord during Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war. In 1983, a year after Israel launched an invasion of Lebanon with the aim of expelling Palestinian militants, Lebanese President Amin Gemayel entered into negotiations with Israel. On May 17 of that year, both parties reached an agreement that briefly ended the state of war between the two countries. However, the agreement lasted only a short while due to opposition from Syrian President Hafez Assad and pro-Syrian factions in Lebanon. Today, the threat to Israel from Palestinian militants in Lebanon is gone. So is the Assad regime. But Hezbollah remains a formidable security challenge to Israel. This is despite the group having been severely weakened over the past two years due to Israel decapitating its leadership, penetrating its ranks and degrading much of its military capacity. But Israel cannot simply oust Hezbollah – a Lebanese party with Lebanese fighters, parliamentarians, ministers and supporters – from Lebanon like it did with the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1980s. Nor can it disarm Hezbollah without launching another deep and costly ground invasion, with severe consequences for Lebanon. Hezbollah also has much to lose from a return to civil war. Instead, Israel says it is trying to create a buffer zone in southern Lebanon – like it did in 1985-2000 – to push Hezbollah away from the border and reduce the threat of missile attacks or ground infiltration. Hezbollah restarted drone and missile attacks against Israel following the US-Israeli war on Iran, the group’s main patron. These Israeli strikes and evacuation orders have created a dire humanitarian situation in southern Lebanon. More than 80 towns and villages have been emptied and more than 15 per cent of Lebanon’s population displaced. Last week, Israel bombed more than 100 targets across the country in 10 minutes, killing hundreds of people. The wave of strikes came despite the US-Iran ceasefire, which Tehran and Islamabad said included Lebanon (a claim rejected by the US). Hezbollah’s opposition Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called for direct talks with Israel in March, but until last week Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had refused. President Aoun enjoys a popular mandate, but he faces stiff resistance from Hezbollah. The group insists on a ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory as preconditions for talks. US Vice President JD Vance said last week that Israel had offered to ‘check themselves a little bit in Lebanon’ to avoid undermining the US-Iran ceasefire. However, Israel has continued to strike southern Lebanon and has intensified its ground operations in the town of Bint Jbeil. Related work Any Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon will work to Hezbollah’s advantage Israel is likely aiming to push the Lebanese government to demonstrate its commitment to disarming the group, which it is committed to under UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, as well as the 2024 ceasefire deal. Hezbollah has categorically refused to disarm. While Hezbollah’s support base is a minority within Lebanese society, the group has the military and intelligence capabilities to eliminate its domestic political opponents and pressure the Lebanese government, both of which it has done before. This week, Hezbollah political council member Wafiq Safa said that his group will not abide by agreements that may result from the talks. During the talks in Washington, the group claimed it launched at least 24 attacks against Israel and Israeli troops. Unable to prevent talks Given these challenges, it’s easy to be pessimistic about the fate of any future negotiations. But neither Tehran nor Hezbollah have been able to torpedo the talks so far. In a combative speech, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem urged the Lebanese government to cancel the talks but was unable to prevent Tuesday’s meeting in Washington. Politically, Hezbollah doesn’t have the numbers in Parliament to reverse the Lebanese government’s decision. And if it withdraws its ministers from the cabinet in protest, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam can replace them with other Shia figures with no allegiances to Iran. Last week, Hezbollah’s supporters protested against the government. But the small demonstration appeared to have little participation from Hezbollah’s political allies including Amal, led by Shia Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri. Hezbollah could use its weapons against its fellow Lebanese, as it has done previously. But this would be a high-risk move at a time when its ally, Iran, has been severely weakened by the US and Israel. Hezbollah also has much to lose from a return to civil war. It would likely face armed conflict with the Lebanese army, other Lebanese factions that might seek to re-arm, and fighters loyal to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The near-constant threat from Israeli drones would make it virtually impossible for Hezbollah to mount any effective military campaign in Lebanon. Confidence-building measures None of this means that Lebanon–Israel talks going forward are likely to yield positive results. The current mess is primarily a result of Hezbollah again dragging Lebanon into war with Israel. Moving forward, Israel will expect results, not just speeches, on Hezbollah’s disarmament. Given the deeply rooted nature of the Hezbollah problem, the only way to approach the next round of negotiations is for both sides to pursue confidence-building measures. The initial meeting in Washington is a welcome and historic first step, but both sides should now take more concrete action. Israel will expect results, not just speeches, on Hezbollah’s disarmament. Israel must recognize that this Lebanese government presents the best chance to disarm Hezbollah and disassociate the country from Iran. It should avoid further attacks on state infrastructure and urban centres, and particularly Beirut, which risk civilian casualties, undermine the Lebanese government and bolster Hezbollah’s narrative of resistance. The Lebanese government, meanwhile, should make it as difficult as possible for Hezbollah to operate. Politically, it should consider expelling Hezbollah ministers from the cabinet, given that officials from the group have accused the government of treason. Financially, the government must outlaw all of Hezbollah’s financial activities. And militarily, it could instruct the army to deploy in all of Beirut including its southern suburbs, confiscate any arms belonging to Hezbollah in the capital, and arrest anyone endangering civil peace.
Lebanon–Israel talks must be given a chanceLebanese president: Israel 'will never be able to achieve their objective'
Lebanese president: Israel 'will never be able to achieve their objective' Lebanese president Joseph Aoun has said in an interview with CNN that Israel "will never be able to achieve their objective" of defeating Hezbollah, "They can invade the whole country, they can flatten the whole country, but they will never be able to achieve their objective," Aoun told Christiane Amanpour. "Hezbollah is an idea, its not an objective that you can see, its not a geographic objective," he said. "It's war amongst people. The battlefield is the people". He continued: "They've tried it in Gaza. Hamas still exists or not?" Aoun insisted that Hezbollah "can only be dealt with domestically". Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun on Israel: pic.twitter.com/MWedNPQdyg June 6, 2026
Aoun tells Iran 'this is our country' as Araqchi warns of Lebanon's 'real enemy'
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Iran of exploiting Lebanon in its conflict with the US and Israel while calling for direct peace talks with Israel and Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Araghchi rejects claim that Iran is using Lebanon as leverage
Araghchi rejects claim that Iran is using Lebanon as leverage Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has responded to remarks by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who accused Iran of using Lebanon as a “bargaining chip” in negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the war. In a post on X, Araghchi rejected the accusation, writing: “Based on Mr Aoun’s comments, one would think it’s Iran that has occupied 1/5 of Lebanon, displaced 1/4 of Lebanese and bombing his country on daily basis.” “Save Lebanon from the real foe, Mr President,” he added. Based on Mr. Aoun's comments, one would think it's Iran that has occupied 1/5 of Lebanon, displaced 1/4 of Lebanese and bombing his country on daily basis. https://t.co/24OJ9uiIXU June 6, 2026
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