Lebanon says ceasefire talks focus on stopping Israel's aggression

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated on Friday that the ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel are primarily focused on halting Israeli military actions within Lebanon. The comments came after the Prime Minister's Office highlighted intentions for potential economic cooperation between the two nations.

Lebanon and Israel reached a US-mediated ceasefire agreement last year. Despite this, Israel has continued targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, as the group works to rebuild its capabilities.

Earlier this week, officials from both countries reported that civilian envoys have been sent to the military committee overseeing the ceasefire, marking an expansion of the discussions beyond purely military matters. Israel confirmed that its representative in Lebanon aims to establish the foundation for both dialogue and economic collaboration.

President Aoun also welcomed any foreign nations willing to maintain a presence in southern Lebanon to support the Lebanese army after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) withdraws at the end of 2026. He noted that several countries have already expressed interest in this role.

"These talks are intended to stop Israel's hostile actions on Lebanese soil, facilitate the return of captives, plan the withdrawal from occupied areas, and address disputes along the Blue Line," Aoun said, referring to the UN-designated border separating Israel and Lebanon.

Author: Noah Whitman