Beirut (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun slams Israel for new strikes on civilian sites, killing one and wounding seven, despite the Gaza ceasefire.
As reported by Ahram Online, Joseph Aoun condemned Israel for overnight airstrikes on civilian sites that killed at least one, the health ministry confirmed.
Joseph Aoun’s views on Israel’s latest strikes on southern Lebanon
Joseph Aoun said,
“Once again, southern Lebanon has been the target of a heinous Israeli aggression against civilian installations — without justification or pretext.”
He added, “The seriousness of this latest attack lies in the fact that it comes after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
Mr Aoun stated,
“The danger of this latest attack lies in the fact that it comes after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and after the Palestinian side there accepted the provisions of that agreement, including the mechanism for containing weapons and putting them out of service.”
The president said,
“This raises serious challenges for us as Lebanese and for the international community – among them, the question of whether there are those who now seek to compensate for Gaza in Lebanon, in order to sustain their political livelihood through fire and bloodshed.”
He added,
“And there is also the question that – since Lebanon was dragged into the Gaza war under the slogan of supporting its instigators – is it not only logical and just now to support Lebanon with a model similar to Gaza’s truce, especially after all parties have agreed on it?”
What is the toll of Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon?
The health ministry reported that an Israeli attack on Al-Msayleh left one dead and seven injured.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Israeli warplanes conducted 10 strikes targeting bulldozer and excavator yards.
Even after a November ceasefire meant to stop over a year of fighting, Israel is still carrying out almost daily strikes on Lebanon. The conflict has included two months of open fighting with Lebanese forces.
Israel has maintained troops in five areas of southern Lebanon, while the UN reported 103 civilian fatalities since the ceasefire.
Israel’s response to Hezbollah activity in Southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces attacked southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. The strike signals that Gaza’s ceasefire has not ended regional operations.
The Gaza war prompted Hezbollah to launch rockets into Israel, escalating clashes on the northern border. The conflict ended last year with the remote detonation of thousands of Hezbollah pagers.
Following the November ceasefire, Israel attacked southern Lebanon, targeting what it describes as Hezbollah infrastructure.
It added,
“The presence of the machinery and Hezbollah activity in the area constitutes a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel.”
Israel–Hezbollah 2023 conflict
The 2023 Israel–Hezbollah fighting began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah fired rockets and artillery at Israeli positions. This was in solidarity with Hamas following its major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hezbollah and Israel entered an ongoing conflict, with Israel launching airstrikes in Lebanon and exchanges escalating over the following months.
Key points from the Gaza peace plan
- Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
- Freed all hostages in Gaza and exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
- Gaza to be demilitarized and terror infrastructure dismantled.
- Governance by a technocratic Palestinian committee under international supervision.
- Creation of a “Board of Peace” led by Trump and Tony Blair, overseeing Gaza’s redevelopment.
- Deployment of an international stabilization force to maintain security.
- Hamas to have no role in Gaza governance; militants disarm or get safe passage.
